July 20, 2010
Can you help distribute our nuke leaflets in your community, at special events or door-to-door? http://ontariosgreenfuture.ca/CostlyNukes_12_09.pdf
If so, send me your address and I’ll mail them to you pronto. They’re free! Help us get the word out to Harper and Iggy that Canadians do NOT support new nuke investments in ON or any other province.
Thanks!
Selling Candus in South Asia only heightens local arms race.
By Paul McKay
… Obviously, Prime Minister Stephen Harper missed this memo. And the one reminding him that, in 1974, India extracted plutonium from an earlier "peaceful" Canadian reactor to make its first atomic bomb. And the memo confirming that India has refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. And the one reminding him that India's bitter arch-rival, Pakistan, also used "peaceful" Candu technolgy to produce plutonium for its own growing nuclear arsenal.
Both India and Pakistan now use reactors, based on the unique Candu design, to make plutonium and tritium for their hydrogen bombs. All Candu reactor models produce plutonium.
Both countries know how to extract plutonium from waste fuel, and distil tritium gas. Both have refused to sign the NPT or global bomb test protocols. Both adamantly assert a sovereign right to perfect, test and stockpile an unrestricted number of missile-capable nuclear weapons.
This is commerce without any conscience.
http://www.straightgoods.ca/2010/ViewArticle.cfm?Ref=679&Cookies=yes
Gordon Edwards was recently interviewed on Radio Canada International about the restart of the NRU reactor. The interview touches on safety, tritium emissions, the Maple fiasco, and nuclear proliferation questions in relation to the continued use of weapons-grade uranium to produce medical isotopes, even though other alternatives exist. Listen to it here:
http://ccnr.org/GE_RCI_2010.mp3
Industry and regulatory agencies insist there's no cause for public alarm about a plan to ship 1,760 tonnes of radiation-laced steel through Lake Ontario.
http://www.windsorstar.com/opinion/Potential+threat/3294379/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
The Bruce Nuclear Generating Station plans to ship 1,760 tonnes of radiation-laced steel through Lake Ontario — a precedent-setting project that has officials worried on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border.
Traditionally, Canada’s nuclear waste is stored in warehouses and underground repositories. Though recycling such materials is done in parts of Europe, the practice is controversial because the metals cannot be traced once they enter the market.
Once the radioactive waste is boarded onto the ship, Bruce Power says it assumes no responsibility for the safety or integrity of the generators or for any possible cleanup in the event of an accident during transport.
http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/834724--critics-slam-proposal-to-ship-nuclear-waste-through-lake-ontario
An application for a licence to ship the steam generators is now before the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, due to the cargo's size and level of radioactivity. If approved, it would be the first time a licence has been issued to ship nuclear waste across the Great Lakes.
"The danger is that accidents do happen," Gordon Edwards said. "There's lots of radioactive junk inside those steam generators. In fact, Bruce Power doesn't even know the complete inventory of the radioactive material inside because it's impossible to measure from the outside and no one wants to go inside because it's too dangerous.
"If this material were to somehow find a pathway out into the environment, through either a puncture or a crack or just to corrosion, then you have this material leaking into the Great Lakes."
http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2665733
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5502/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3670
And while you’re at it, let the CNSC (Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission) know what you think about Bruce Power's plan to ship radioactive generators across the Great Lakes to Sweden. Comments, and questions, can be sent to:
Attention: Mr. Marc Drolet
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Email: info@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
Tel: 613 947 0442 or toll free 1-800-668- 5284
If you’re anywhere near Owen Sound, please attend the City Council meeting and public Open Houses.
Mayor Ruth Lovell Stanners of Owen Sound, Ontario, from which harbor the old Bruce "A" radioactive steam generators from units 1 and 2 are proposed to be shipped to Sweden, has invited the CNSC (the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission) to a special session at Owen Sound, Monday, July 26th to answer questions from the Council. The public can attend and no notice needs to be given.
Bruce Power is also holding open houses on the proposed shipment of the radioactive steam generators.
The world looks like it's about to become a more dangerous place. A recent report from Israel's newspaper Haaretz finds that the United States is moving forward with plans to strengthen Israel's nuclear weapons stockpile
US and Israeli officials maintain that Iran is enriching uranium under the auspices of a civilian nuclear program, while secretly using its uranium stockpile to develop nuclear weapons. Those who make such claims are at a loss to explain why the International Atomic Energy Agency - in addition to the US National Intelligence Estimate - found no evidence of nuclear weapons development in Iran, despite countless inspections by international observers. Those claiming that Iran is a threat are also unable to explain why inspectors are unable to uncover any evidence that Iran is producing highly-enriched uranium (of a quality suitable to develop a nuclear weapon), but instead only produces low-enriched uranium suitable for use in nuclear power plants.
Canada's road to becoming a petro-state is lined with lies, greed, and pollution.
Canada now suffers from an advanced state of “petromania,” a condition of rank moral dishonesty compounded by visions of oily grandeur.
http://www.themarknews.com/articles/1818-canada-the-saudi-arabia-of-
Hydro-Québec is heading for lower profits and higher electricity rates unless it invests significantly in energy efficiency incentive programs and enters into a power-exchange deal with Ontario.
"By more closely coordinating the two province's power systems, Hydro-Québec's need to build new high-cost hydroelectric generating capacity to meet its winter peak demands will be reduced," according to the report produced jointly by Montreal-based Equiterre and Toronto-based Ontario Clean Air Alliance. "Similarly, Ontario's need to build new high-cost natural gas-fired power plants to provide peak power on hot summer days will also be reduced.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/Sharing+power+profitable+sustainable/3288425/story.html
But this “issue” isn’t about price as much as consistency. If the FIT and microFIT programs were designed to assure investors by offering stability of policy and price, then this sudden price adjustment clearly undermines that objective. http://www.thestar.com/article/836499--hamilton-a-cloud-rolls-over-ontario-solar-plan
The province's decision to reduce the rate it will pay for small, ground-mounted solar-power projects has proven to be highly disruptive. Thousands of would-be producers -- many of them farmers and rural residents -- have been forced to scrap their plans in response to the change. This has created repercussions for suppliers of solar infrastructure and financial institutions that have arranged financing. http://www.simcoereformer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=2676403
On Thur. July 22, from 7 - 9:30 pm, Ontario Solar Network (OSN) will host an open town hall meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in Vaughan, ON to discuss the Ontario Power Authority's (OPA) proposed price changes for microFIT projects. Free to the general public, this event will feature leaders in Ontario's solar industry and Ben Chin, VP Communications of the OPA.
For more information please visit this webpage, and for registration visit this webpage.
One of the many strengths of wind energy is its diversity, notwithstanding its tremendous positive environmental attributes. Wind energy projects can be built at a variety of scales by a variety of proponents. Many First Nation communities and local organizations are now planning wind energy projects of their own. People across Ontario are considering a range of small wind energy systems that can be used to power a cottage, farm, or small commercial operation.
There are a growing number of communities across Canada benefitting from new local investment, job creation and tax revenue all associated with wind energy development.
http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2664401
Mark your calendars for the first annual
Toronto's Only Harbourfront Kite Festival!
Saturday October 2nd, Woodbine Beach
Join hundreds of kite flyers, expert kite-flying demonstrations and workshops on kite making, clean energy and conservation as well as activities just for kids! WindFest is a chance to celebrate autumn, wind power, and the breathtaking art of kite flying, on Toronto's largest beach! For sponsorship opportunities go to:
The evolution of environmentalism over the past fifty years has been spurred by any number of competing internal tensions: between national and grassroots, apolitical and partisan, international and domestic, lobbying strategies and direct action tactics.
Yet the environmental movement, by and large, has always been the most existential of social movements, willing to shift tactics on the fly, use what works and discard what doesn’t. “In our business, you’ve got to be fast on your feet,” said Brower, who died in November 2000. “When industry wins, they win forever. The most we can usually hope for is a stay of execution. It means we’ve got to stay eternally vigilant, be very creative and be willing to take risks.”
http://www.counterpunch.org/stclair07092010.html
Note: A long but excellent article which includes some history of the anti-nuclear movement. -a
Wed. July 28, 6:45 pm, Toronto City Hall, Committee Room 3.
The Gulf of Mexico disaster is a calamity and could be a "game changer". On the one hand the Gulf fisheries and wetlands and coast line for thousands of kilometres are being degraded, even destroyed. In addition to the insult and injury to life this represents this also represents the destruction of a major food source and a great deal of employment. On the other side of the equation 25% of U.S. oil comes from the Gulf. This represents a major energy source as well as a great deal of corporate profits and employment. How will U.S. decision makers square this circle?
Part 1: Post Carbon Toronto's Randy Park will give a quick review of peak oil and relate the importance of energy to some real life examples. Drawing on his work as a professional speaker, author, and foresight facilitator he will also discuss why most people have a hard time understanding and accepting energy decline.
Part 2: Post Carbon Toronto's Jeff Berg will give an update on the Gulf of Mexico tragedy, and the many reports over the last two years confirming both peak oil's reality as well as its imminence.
RSVP to this Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/PostCarbonTorontoMeetup/calendar/14041770/