Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta Home Page

ALBERTA MIGHT GO NUCLEAR DESPITE CITIZENS' CONCERNS ELENA SCHACHERL - CALGARY HERALD DEC 18, 2009 ________________________ MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release Dec 14, 2009 NUCLEAR WILL BE ALLOWED - TO MAKE ALBERTA LOOK CLEAN December 14, 2009, Peace River— Mel Knight’s announcement that nuclear power will be considered as an energy option in Alberta does not sit well with the Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta, the province-wide alliance of grassroots organizations opposed to nuclear development.. Adele Boucher Rymhs, Coalition President, feels the Government has turned a deaf ear to the people to save its image on climate change. “They are saying that we should consider nuclear power because of low carbon emissions, and are totally ignoring the fact that radioactive emissions will be just as big a problem in our atmosphere.” Though results of the online survey indicated that 55% of respondents were opposed to nuclear, the Government has chosen to allow unproven new generation technology to be developed in this province. The report also showed 75% of Albertans are concerned about the health impacts of nuclear and 77% do not want to leave a nuclear waste problem for future generations The Coalition believes the Stelmach government is abrogating its responsibility to Albertans to protect their health by simply deferring regulatory duties to the federal government. “We have seen how the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission allows the nuclear industry in Eastern Canada to contaminate the environment” says Boucher Rymhs. At Monday’s media conference, Energy Minister Mel Knight acknowledged there is no known long term storage solution for nuclear waste, and recognized there would be challenges to dealing with this in the future. He dismissed the problem as more of an economic issue than a health risk, but the Coalition sees this as one of the main reasons that Alberta should say no to nuclear. “We will be left to manage radioactive waste for many generations so this province can sell Americans a cleaner form of energy than oil from the tar sands” says Boucher Rymhs. Although Mel Knight says the government “will not invest public dollars in any nuclear power proposals”, the costly transmission lines already approved by Bill 50 will be paid for by consumers and be used to export nuclear power to the United States. ---30--- For more information, please contact: Adele Boucher Rymhs, CNFA President, Peace River, coalition.nfa@abnorth.com, (780)332-2554 or (780)618-8477 (cell) Elena Schacherl, CNFA Vice-president, Calgary, nuclearfreealberta@gmail.com, (403)244-8001 or (403)860-3372 (cell) BACKGROUND LINKS TO THE STORY December 14, 2009: Province releases results of nuclear consultation EDMONTON...Results of the Alberta nuclear consultation demonstrating a broad range of views on nuclear power... MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT www.energy.alberta.ca BILL 50 PASSED - "The Electric Statutes Amendment Act" gives the government responsibilty for approving (and determining without public consultation) the need for"critical transmission infrastructure" to meet Alberta's electricity needs. COALITION LAUNCHES GREEN RIBBON CAMPAIGN SEPTEMBER 14, 2009 - The Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta (CNFA), comprised of a number of Alberta grassroots organizations, launched its province-wide Green Ribbon campaign today to try and convince the provincial government that investing in green renewable energy sources is the right choice for meeting our future electricity needs rather than the the costly and risky nuclear option being considered... ACTION ITEM Follow this link, sign the petition to support Feed in Tariffs: Alberta: Implement a Green Energy Feed In Tariff A feed-in tariff is simply a guaranteed price set by the government for anyone who wants to sell renewable electricity to the grid, and a guarantee that they will have access to the grid to do so. SUPPORT THE CAUSE Come visit our new store on CafePress! Shop for T-Shirts, Coffee mugs and much more! READ THE BIG DECISION by Chris Turner It's arguably the most important question facing our province: Should we go nuclear? Considering the facts, it's also a no-brainer A MUST READ ESSAY published in Oct 2008 issue of albertaviews magazine. FEATURED WEBSITES ANYTHING RADIOACTIVE Volunteers needed to house nuclear waste in New Brunswick ANTINUCLEAR Nuclear news from Australia and around the world "leaks, illegal dumping, corporate malfeasance and groundwater contamination"	VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE Upcoming Events Visit our New Store on CafePress C'mon grab a few T-Shirts, Coffee mugs, more -------------- NUCLEAR NEWS ------------- Sensible Approach on Nuclear Edmonton Sun - Dec 17 2009 Pro-Nuclear Stance linked to Bill 50 Hanneke Brooymans - Edmonton Journal Dec 16, 2009 CT Scans Add to Cancer Deaths Radiation from CT scans performed in 2007 will kill 15,000 Americans. Calgary Herald - Dec 15, 2009 Almost 50% 0f Albertans "conflicted" about nuclear power, study says Calgary Herald - Dec 14 2009 Province keeps open nuclear option Edmonton Journal - Dec 15 2009 Government-commissioned survey shows majority of Albertans opposed. Alberta Minister cautiously approves nuclear power after getting Bill 50 Examiner.com Dec 15, 2009 Just say no to nuclear, Editorial, CALGARY HERALD, DECEMBER 13, 2009 Peace River Record Gazette Coalition launches green campaign Metro News Edmonton Coalition launches anti-nuclear campaign Red Deer Advocate Just say no to nuclear plants Vue Weekly - Edmonton ISSUES: nuclear power Grande Prairie Herald Tribune Anti-nuclear group kicks off campaign Global TV - Lethbridge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmrgU8p3P54 Lethbridge Herald Anti-nuclear effort launches campaign GREENPAGES.CA Nuclear Free Alberta's Green Ribbon campaign Report says most Saskatchewan people don't back nuclear power plant idea September 15, 2009 - Lumsden Sask. - A new report has found that most Saskatchewan residents oppose building a nuclear power plant in the province. Ontario drops plans for 2 new nuclear reactors June 29, 2009 - Citing ballooning costs and its responsibility to the taxpayers of the province, the Ontario government says it is indefinitely mothballing plans to build two new nuclear reactors at the Darlington power station. Nuclear-plant workers face elevated cancer risk: report. June 23, 2009 - Saskatoon - Those working in, and living near, nuclear-power plants - such as the one being considered for construction in Saskatchewan - are more likely than the general population to develop cancer or die from it, according to a research paper being released Tuesday. Catholic bishops join Alberta nuclear debate June 17, 2009 -Edmonton- Call it a debate between faith and fission: Alberta's Catholic bishops have issued a joint statement urging the province to delay a decision on whether to establish nuclear reactors in the province until serious "ethical questions" are answered. Big Nuke's Desperate Ohio Reactor Hoax June 20, 2009 - The US government has paid thousands of Ohio workers hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for the health damage they suffered from being irradiated while working there. Nuclear Issue needs debate June 17, 2009 - Lethbridge Herald Grow green energy protesters tell gov't June 6, 2009 - Edmonton - Group accuses Alberta of paying lip-service to consultation on atomic power plant Canada to seek partners for nuclear reactor firm - OTTAWA, May 28 (Reuters) - Canada said on Thursday it wanted major international firms to buy some or all of the nuclear reactor business run by government-owned Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. Proposed Nuclear Plant on Shaky Ground - May 25, 2009 - A nuclear plant should never be built at the current proposed site north near Peace River because it sits on the Whitemud Fault, a Peace River audience was told last week. Gov't seeks new source of medical isotopes-Leaky reactor prompts search May 22, 2009 The federal government has moved to avert a health crisis caused by a looming shortage of medical isotopes used to diagnose and treat cancer and other diseases by seeking deals with isotope suppliers in South Africa and in Australia. Leaking reactor may be 'gone for good'- May 21 2009 - As radioactive water continues to leak from the nuclear reactor that produces more than half the world's medical isotopes, Canwest News Service has learned that technicians at the Chalk River, Ont., facility are privately wondering if the end has finally come for the world's oldest reactor. Alberta gov't not neutral on nukes: NDP May 13, 2009 - Alberta’s New Democrats are questioning the provincial government’s claimed neutral stance on approving the development of nuclear power plants when many of its senior energy bureaucrats sit on the board of a group promoting them. An open, honest nuclear debate May 6, 2009 - by Douglas Roche Alberta's 'public consultation' on nuclear power seems designed to quash any opposition to the plan. Nuclear Consultations: Another contentious issue, another phony consultation - Ricardo Acuña - Vue Weekly May 7, 2009- Why bother? Does anyone in Alberta really believe that "consultations" and "expert panel" reports generated by the provincial government are ever anything more than attempts to whitewash contentious issues and unpopular policies? BREAKING NEWS ON SAFER MEDICAL ISOTOPES - April 28, 2009 - Medical isotopes produced using photo-fission employ the use of a linear accelerator rather than a nuclear reactor; as such, the need to ship and handle highly enriched uranium is eliminated in favour of naturally occurring uranium. Environmental groups and AFL release groundbreaking Green Jobs report 22 April 2009 (Edmonton) — Alberta can create more than 200,000 long-term green jobs and build a strong economic future, according to a groundbreaking report on green jobs released by two prominent environmental groups and the Alberta Federation of Labour.
© 2009, Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta, CNFA - www.keepalbertanuclearfree.com

ALBERTA MIGHT GO NUCLEAR DESPITE CITIZENS' CONCERNS
ELENA SCHACHERL - CALGARY HERALD DEC 18, 2009
________________________

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release Dec 14, 2009

NUCLEAR WILL BE ALLOWED - TO MAKE ALBERTA LOOK CLEAN

December 14, 2009, Peace River— Mel Knight’s announcement that nuclear power will be considered as an energy option in Alberta does not sit well with the Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta, the province-wide alliance of grassroots organizations opposed to nuclear development..

Adele Boucher Rymhs, Coalition President, feels the Government has turned a deaf ear to the people to save its image on climate change. “They are saying that we should consider nuclear power because of low carbon emissions, and are totally ignoring the fact that radioactive emissions will be just as big a problem in our atmosphere.”

Though results of the online survey indicated that 55% of respondents were opposed to nuclear, the Government has chosen to allow unproven new generation technology to be developed in this province. The report also showed 75% of Albertans are concerned about the health impacts of nuclear and 77% do not want to leave a nuclear waste problem for future generations

The Coalition believes the Stelmach government is abrogating its responsibility to Albertans to protect their health by simply deferring regulatory duties to the federal government. “We have seen how the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission allows the nuclear industry in Eastern Canada to contaminate the environment” says Boucher Rymhs.

At Monday’s media conference, Energy Minister Mel Knight acknowledged there is no known long term storage solution for nuclear waste, and recognized there would be challenges to dealing with this in the future. He dismissed the problem as more of an economic issue than a health risk, but the Coalition sees this as one of the main reasons that Alberta should say no to nuclear.

“We will be left to manage radioactive waste for many generations so this province can sell Americans a cleaner form of energy than oil from the tar sands” says Boucher Rymhs.

Although Mel Knight says the government “will not invest public dollars in any nuclear power proposals”, the costly transmission lines already approved by Bill 50 will be paid for by consumers and be used to export nuclear power to the United States.

---30---

For more information, please contact:

Adele Boucher Rymhs, CNFA President, Peace River, coalition.nfa@abnorth.com,
(780)332-2554 or (780)618-8477 (cell)

Elena Schacherl, CNFA Vice-president, Calgary, nuclearfreealberta@gmail.com,
(403)244-8001 or (403)860-3372 (cell)

BACKGROUND LINKS TO THE STORY

December 14, 2009: Province releases results of nuclear consultation
EDMONTON...Results of the Alberta nuclear consultation demonstrating a broad range of views on nuclear power...

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT www.energy.alberta.ca

BILL 50 PASSED - "The Electric Statutes Amendment Act" gives the government responsibilty for approving (and determining without public consultation) the need for"critical transmission infrastructure" to meet Alberta's electricity needs.

COALITION LAUNCHES GREEN RIBBON CAMPAIGN

SEPTEMBER 14, 2009 - The Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta (CNFA), comprised of a number of Alberta grassroots organizations, launched its province-wide Green Ribbon campaign today to try and convince the provincial government that investing in green renewable energy sources is the right choice for meeting our future electricity needs rather than the the costly and risky nuclear option being considered...

ACTION ITEM
Follow this link, sign the petition to support Feed in Tariffs:
Alberta: Implement a Green Energy Feed In Tariff
A feed-in tariff is simply a guaranteed price set by the government for anyone who wants to sell renewable electricity to the grid, and a guarantee that they will have access to the grid to do so.

SUPPORT THE CAUSE
Come visit our new store on CafePress!
Shop for T-Shirts, Coffee mugs and much more!

READ
THE BIG DECISION by Chris Turner
It's arguably the most important question facing our province:
Should we go nuclear? Considering the facts, it's also a no-brainer
A MUST READ ESSAY
published in Oct 2008 issue of albertaviews magazine.

FEATURED WEBSITES

ANYTHING RADIOACTIVE
Volunteers needed to house nuclear waste in New Brunswick

ANTINUCLEAR
Nuclear news from Australia and around the world
"leaks, illegal dumping, corporate malfeasance and groundwater contamination"

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

Upcoming Events

Visit our New Store on CafePress
C'mon grab a few T-Shirts, Coffee mugs, more
-------------- NUCLEAR NEWS -------------

Sensible Approach on Nuclear
Edmonton Sun - Dec 17 2009

Pro-Nuclear Stance linked to Bill 50
Hanneke Brooymans - Edmonton Journal
Dec 16, 2009

CT Scans Add to Cancer Deaths
Radiation from CT scans performed in 2007 will kill 15,000 Americans.
Calgary Herald - Dec 15, 2009

Almost 50% 0f Albertans "conflicted" about nuclear power, study says
Calgary Herald - Dec 14 2009

Province keeps open nuclear option
Edmonton Journal - Dec 15 2009
Government-commissioned survey shows majority of Albertans opposed.

Alberta Minister cautiously approves nuclear power after getting Bill 50
Examiner.com Dec 15, 2009

Just say no to nuclear, Editorial,
CALGARY HERALD, DECEMBER 13, 2009

Peace River Record Gazette
Coalition launches green campaign

Metro News Edmonton
Coalition launches anti-nuclear campaign

Red Deer Advocate
Just say no to nuclear plants

Vue Weekly - Edmonton
ISSUES: nuclear power

Grande Prairie Herald Tribune
Anti-nuclear group kicks off campaign

Global TV - Lethbridge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmrgU8p3P54

Lethbridge Herald
Anti-nuclear effort launches campaign

GREENPAGES.CA
Nuclear Free Alberta's Green Ribbon campaign

Report says most Saskatchewan people don't back nuclear power plant idea
September 15, 2009 - Lumsden Sask. - A new report has found that most Saskatchewan residents oppose building a nuclear power plant in the province.

Ontario drops plans for 2 new nuclear reactors
June 29, 2009 - Citing ballooning costs and its responsibility to the taxpayers of the province, the Ontario government says it is indefinitely mothballing plans to build two new nuclear reactors at the Darlington power station.

Nuclear-plant workers face elevated cancer risk: report.
June 23, 2009 - Saskatoon - Those working in, and living near, nuclear-power plants - such as the one being considered for construction in Saskatchewan - are more likely than the general population to develop cancer or die from it, according to a research paper being released Tuesday.

Catholic bishops join Alberta nuclear debate
June 17, 2009 -Edmonton- Call it a debate between faith and fission: Alberta's Catholic bishops have issued a joint statement urging the province to delay a decision on whether to establish nuclear reactors in the province until serious "ethical questions" are answered.

Big Nuke's Desperate Ohio Reactor Hoax
June 20, 2009 - The US government has paid thousands of Ohio workers hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for the health damage they suffered from being irradiated while working there.

Nuclear Issue needs debate
June 17, 2009 - Lethbridge Herald

Grow green energy protesters tell gov't
June 6, 2009 - Edmonton - Group accuses Alberta of paying lip-service to consultation on atomic power plant

Canada to seek partners for nuclear reactor firm
- OTTAWA, May 28 (Reuters) - Canada said on Thursday it wanted major international firms to buy some or all of the nuclear reactor business run by government-owned Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.

Proposed Nuclear Plant on Shaky Ground - May 25, 2009 - A nuclear plant should never be built at the current proposed site north near Peace River because it sits on the Whitemud Fault, a Peace River audience was told last week.

Gov't seeks new source of medical isotopes-Leaky reactor prompts search
May 22, 2009 The federal government has moved to avert a health crisis caused by a looming shortage of medical isotopes used to diagnose and treat cancer and other diseases by seeking deals with isotope suppliers in South Africa and in Australia.

Leaking reactor may be 'gone for good'-
May 21 2009 - As radioactive water continues to leak from the nuclear reactor that produces more than half the world's medical isotopes, Canwest News Service has learned that technicians at the Chalk River, Ont., facility are privately wondering if the end has finally come for the world's oldest reactor.

Alberta gov't not neutral on nukes: NDP
May 13, 2009 - Alberta’s New Democrats are questioning the provincial government’s claimed neutral stance on approving the development of nuclear power plants when many of its senior energy bureaucrats sit on the board of a group promoting them.

An open, honest nuclear debate
May 6, 2009 - by Douglas Roche
Alberta's 'public consultation' on nuclear power seems designed to quash any opposition to the plan.

Nuclear Consultations: Another contentious issue, another phony consultation - Ricardo Acuña - Vue Weekly
May 7, 2009- Why bother? Does anyone in Alberta really believe that "consultations" and "expert panel" reports generated by the provincial government are ever anything more than attempts to whitewash contentious issues and unpopular policies?

BREAKING NEWS ON SAFER MEDICAL ISOTOPES
- April 28, 2009 - Medical isotopes produced using photo-fission employ the use of a linear accelerator rather than a nuclear reactor; as such, the need to ship and handle highly enriched uranium is eliminated in favour of naturally occurring uranium.

Environmental groups and AFL release groundbreaking Green Jobs report
22 April 2009 (Edmonton) — Alberta can create more than 200,000 long-term green jobs and build a strong economic future, according to a groundbreaking report on green jobs released by two prominent environmental groups and the Alberta Federation of Labour.

CNFA 2009