Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada's Used Nuclear Fuel Project
Nuclear energy is a mistake that can never be undone
- Reference Number
- 106
- Text
- To whom it may concern:I am writing to express my opposition to plans for the proposed Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) Project for Canada's used nuclear fuel. I feel that the project description does not address serious drawbacks with nuclear waste, which cannot realistically be managed and serves only to highlight the folly of continued reliance on nuclear energy in Canada or anywhere in the world. We at Montreal for a World BEYOND War see nuclear energy as a boondoggle that makes some investors and promotors rich in the short term, but in the long term will leave our fragile planet irradiated and poisoned with waste that will never disappear, and will serve only to illustrate the fact that humanity's intelligence has evolved but has not been matched by a parallel evolution in wisdom or responsibility.The dangers associated with the transportation of this waste is just one aspect that should have served to have this project cancelled. The wording of the proposal states that transportation is not included in the project: ("The Project does not include: the transportation of used fuel from the reactor sites to the Project beyond the primary and secondary access roads to the Project site, as the Project site is regulated separately under CNSC certification and uses existing transportation infrastructure.")
However, stating on paper that the risks associated with a possible incident during the transportation of 112,750 tonnes of high-level radioactive waste on Canada's roads, over a period of about fifty years--are not being considered in the project, does not obviate these risks, any more than closing one's eyes in the event of an impending plane crash prevents it from happening.
The nuclear waste will be radioactive for a period of time that is close to eternity, whereas the project covers a period of 160 years; The so-called solution is therefore inadequate. The DGR is also presented as safe and environmentally friendly, which is clearly untrue. How can we say that burying 112,750 tonnes of radioactive nuclear waste is an environmentally friendly solution?
I urge you to cancel this project. It will be very very hard to find any solution that would adequately address the burden that nuclear waste has placed on this planet and the poisoned pill that it represents as a legacy. The best that can be done would be to immediately cancel further development of nuclear reactors and nuclear energy and focus on alternative energies--urgently--and also urgenly, to explore ways to deal with the existing nuclear waste that human error and hubris have made possible. A DGR as presented in this project is not a viable solution.
- Submitted by
- Montreal for a World BEYOND War
- Phase
- Planning
- Public Notice
- Public Notice - Comments invited on the summary of the Initial Project Description and funding available
- Attachment(s)
- N/A
- Date Submitted
- 2026-01-23 - 10:29 AM