New York Congressman Demands Full Review Of Possible Plans To Transport Radioactive Waste From Ontario Across Peace Bridge

By Doug Draper 

A Buffalo, New York area Congressman is raising concerns about possible dangers of shipping liquid nuclear waste across the Peace Bridge and the shared waters of millions of Ontarians and New Yorkers, and he is urging the U.S. government to do a full environment review before any such shipments are allowed.

The Peace Bridge, one of the major Canada/U.S. crossings in North America. File photo by Doug Draper

Congressman Higgins told fellow Congressman in Washington, D.C: Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my serious concerns with the Department of Energy’s proposal to transport liquid nuclear waste from Ontario’s Chalk River Research reactor to the Department of Energy’s Savannah River site, across several states and over the Peace Bridge, which is in my Western New York Congressional district.”

“Unlike spent nuclear fuel, which can be safely transported in solid form,” Higgins continued, “in liquid form, it is more radioactive and complicated to transfer.” 

“Most concerning, in the event of a spill, liquid highly enriched uranium would be difficult to contain,” he concluded. “A major contamination in the Buffalo-Niagara region could potentially result, exacting dire consequences on the Great Lakes, the Niagara Power Project and greater Buffalo-Niagara population.”

“Mr. Speaker, a plan that carries this level of risk should not be done without a thorough review. The Department of Energy must undertake a formal environmental impact statement before proceeding”

Canadans have yet to hear this kind of call for a full environmental protection review from either the Ontario government or the federal government of Stephen Harper. All we are getting so far is some word that any movement of these wastes as to the time and route, must be kep in secret for fear there may be some sabotaging by supposed terrorists.

Apparently fear of terrorism trumps public disclosure and a full environmental review in Canada when it comes to the movement of this very dangerous material.

Here s Consgressman Brian Higgin’s recent note to his country’s Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy on this issue. 

The Honorable Ernest Moniz
Secretary
Department of Energy
1000 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20585
Dear Secretary Moniz,

I write to express my concern regarding the proposed transportation of liquid nuclear waste from Ontario’s Chalk River Research reactor to the Department of Energy’s Savannah River site via the Peace Bridge, a major border crossing in my district. 

In contrast to spent nuclear fuel, which can be reliably and safely transported in solid form, the prospect of shipping liquid nuclear waste is far more complicated. Such high level waste is more radioactive than spent nuclear fuel, and its liquid form could make containment in the event of a spill or other adverse event nearly impossible.  Adding to these concerns, reports indicate that the type of nuclear material transport cask that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission plans to use has never been certified to carry this type of waste.  

The potential danger of this proposed action is amplified by the high-risk nature of contamination in the Buffalo-Niagara region. An international border community, it is home to four international bridge crossings and the Niagara Power Project, which serves as the largest electricity producer in New York State.  It also sits along two Great Lakes which represent the largest fresh water supply in the world and serves as the center point of a 500 mile radius that includes approximately 55% of the US population and 62% of the Canadian population. 

A major contamination on or near the Peace Bridge would have dire consequences for the regional and national economies. Further, the proposed route would take this material through the heart of the City of Buffalo, a densely populated urban area where the consequence of contamination on public safety would be devastating. 

Given these significant concerns, it is the responsibility of the Department of Energy and all relevant agencies involved in the process to thoroughly assess the safety of this action. Therefore, I urge your agency to undertake a formal environmental impact statement before proceeding. Thank you for your time and attention this matter.

Sincerely,

Brian Higgins
Member of Congress

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