MP Not Sold On Nuclear Waste Facility Idea

MP Not Sold On Nuclear Waste Facility Idea

Monday, May 30, 2005 at 14:14

 

 

Northern Saskatchewan’s Member of Parliament says he doesn’t want to see a nuclear waste facility built in the North, unless local residents support the idea.

 

A recent draft report from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization suggests Northern Saskatchewan could make an ideal spot to store spent nuclear fuel.

 

The report says Saskatchewan is geologically suitable for an underground storage tank.

 

It also says Saskatchewan is already tied to the nuclear industry since the province harvests the bulk of uranium in the country.

 

Saskatchewan Industry Minister Eric Cline recently told the Saskatoon Star Phoenix that he found merit in the proposal, noting that Saskatchewan was benefiting from the mining of uranium.

 

However, the MP for Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River, Jeremy Harrison, says he doesn’t find the issue that simple.

 

Harrison says mass consultation would have to take place with northerners before anything is decided.

 

The report also mentions Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes as other options for the site, and calls for 18 years of research to take place before any firm decisions are made.

 

The total cost for the project is expected to be $24 billion.