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MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release

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.

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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)

 

 

MEDIA RELEASE

For Release – Tuesday, October 27, 2009 1:00 p.m.


PROTESTORS FROM ACROSS ALBERTA SAY NO TO NUCLEAR
October 27, 2009, Edmonton, Alberta- The Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta (CNFA), a province-wide alliance comprised of several Alberta grassroots organizations, held a rally at the Legislature today with citizens from across the province attending.

The government has said it will set a policy on nuclear before the end of this year. The rally was intended to send a strong message to the Stelmach government early in the fall session—nuclear is not clean, nor safe, nor affordable and not an acceptable energy option for this province.

There is a growing momentum opposing the proposal by Bruce Power, an Ontario nuclear operator, to build four over-sized, First-of-a-Kind nuclear reactors in the Peace River region. The Coalition is calling on the province to form a task force on renewable energy, a greener, safer and more affordable way to meet Alberta’s future electricity needs.


The Coalition is also opposing Bill 50 that, if passed, will push through large and costly transmission lines without a needs assessment. “Mega-sized transmission lines are far beyond what is needed to service the province – they are obviously being built in preparation for exporting nuclear power to the United States,” says Adele Rymhs, President of the Coalition.


The provincial government is on the record as saying Albertans will decide whether or not to give the green light to nuclear. The public consultation process earlier this year saw a pro-nuclear panel produce a biased and one-sided report containing false and inadequate information. The health, environmental and cost risks of nuclear were ignored and the benefits of renewable energy downplayed. Albertans provided input on the report through an online survey with a short timeline and leading questions slanted towards a pro-nuclear position. There were no public meetings.
Elena Schacherl, CNFA Vice President says that “Flawed as the consultation process was, it is time for the government to provide Albertans with the results. There is no need to keep the public in suspense. Will the Stelmach government be opening or closing the door to nuclear and all its associated problems such as nuclear waste? Albertans deserve a clear and unequivocal answer.”
After the rally, some protestors stayed for question period in the Legislature where nuclear was part of the discussion.


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For more information, please contact:
- Adele 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)
www.keep albertanuclearfree.com

 

 

 

COALITION FOR A NUCLEAR FREE ALBERTA - MEDIA RELEASE
- SEPT 14, 2009

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.

"The government has stated it will set policy on nuclear before the end of the fall sitting of the Legislature," says Adele Boucher Rymhs, President of the Coalition. "We are asking Albertans to join us in saying no to nuclear power in this province and call on the government to show some leadership in encouraging investment in renewables." The Coalition backs the recommendation put forward earlier this year by the Pembina Institute to have an Expert Panel study renewable energy.

The slogan for the Green Ribbon campaign is " A truly Green Energy Future ... does not include nuclear power". The campaign is meant to make Albertans aware of the merits of renewable energy such as wind, solar, geothermal, small hydro and biofuels. The Coalition plans to distribute awareness ribbons and related information across the province in a movement leading to a mass Rally at the Legislature on October 27.

The Coalition does not see nuclear power as a solution to climate change when renewables can be brought on stream faster and more cheaply with far less risk to Albertan's health and the environment.

"The unlikelihood that any nuclear generated electricity will stay in this province means that Albertans will take all the risks, have our fresh water supply depleted and contaminated, bear the expense for costly transmission lines and be left with a long-term radioactive waste problem, while the power is sold into the American market," says Boucher Rymhs.

"Nuclear power is not experiencing the renaissance that was predicted - it is becoming more and more obvious all the time that renewable and sustainable energy is the future for the whole world," Boucher Rymhs added. "Alberta should not get left behind." A March 2009 survey conducted by Ipsos Reid showed that nearly 80% of Albertans support renewables.

The Green Ribbon campaign urges Albertans to speak to their MLA's and let them know that we do not want nuclear power in this province. If the Government chooses to create a healthy energy policy with investment incentives, green jobs and a competitive economy will follow.

The Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta will be organizing transportation from major centres across the province for the planned Rally at the Legislature and encourages Albertans to take part. To purchase a Green Ribbon or to find out more about how to get involved, the public should check out the CFNA website at www.keepalbertanuclearfree.com.

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for additional information please contact:

Adele Boucher Rymhs, President, CNFA - (780) 332-2554 -adele@keepalberta nuclearfree.com *

Mandy Melnyk, Chair, CNFA Media Committee - -(780) 650-2047 - nuclearmovement@live.ca

Brenda Brochu, CNFA - (780) 618-1670 - brbrochu@ telus.net

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PRESS RELEASE

May 13, 2009, Peace River, Alberta, Canada:

Coalition Demands Open Public Meetings, Extended Deadline for Nuclear Consultations

PEACE RIVER--Albertans should have the chance to attend open public meetings to discuss the risks and impacts of bringing nuclear power to Alberta, a province-wide Coalition says.

The Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta, representing hundreds of Albertans in ten groups across the province, has sent a letter to Energy Minister Mel Knight urging him to call such meetings.

"The Government of Saskatchewan has announced plans to hold open, public meetings in nine communities to find out if the people of that province want nuclear power,‚" said Coalition president Adele Boucher Rymhs of Grimshaw.

The people of Alberta should have a similar opportunity. The focus groups planned for this province will not be open to the general public or to the media. They are for invited guests only.

"This issue is much too important to be debated and discussed by a select few. Closing off the focus groups to the public at large and the media means that many Albertans will not even be aware that the issue is being discussed.‚"

Boucher Rymhs said the Coalition is also concerned about the tight deadline for responding to the government’s on-line survey about nuclear power.

Although the survey was posted in late April, Albertans have only until June 1 to complete it. Albertans without Internet service have to request a printed copy of the workbook and survey from the Alberta Energy Department or find someone to print the 32-page document for them.

"The difficulty accessing this document and then the tight timeline for responding suggests that the Alberta government wants to hear from as few citizens as possible," Boucher Rymhs noted.

"First the government appointed a biased panel, which produced a biased report. Now it's trying to saddle us with a consultation process that will exclude most Albertans. It is time for Albertans to speak up and say, "We won't stand for this!‚"

For Media Inquiries
Please call Mandy Melnyk or Adele Boucher Rymhs
780-332-2554

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PRESS RELEASE

May 06, 2009, Peace River, Alberta, Canada:

The Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta (CNFA) is describing the government's consultation process on nuclear power as a prime example of whitewashing the issue to avoid a meaningful dialogue with Albertans.

The umbrella group of grassroots organizations from across the province says the long awaited process is being rushed through with an online survey that opens by interrogating respondents about his/her expertise on electricity and nuclear energy.

"This implies that we must first qualify to participate,‚"said the Coalition president, Adele Boucher Rymhs. "We are all entitled to a voice on energy options in this province simply by having a concern about the environment we leave for the next generation."

The Coalition believes the public should not be expected to make an informed decision on energy choices until they have been given all the options. The Expert Panel report glazed over the facts about nuclear power and only presented a narrow view of the alternate renewable sources of energy.

"It took nearly a year for the Expert Panel to gather their information, but the government is pressuring Albertans to respond before June 1 st. This is ludicrous ‚"the public should have an equal time to do their research, especially when we need to go elsewhere to find the other half of the message,‚" says Boucher Rymhs.

The Coalition is in full support of the recommendations put forward this spring by the Pembina Institute, whereby the government would establish a Task Force on Renewable Energy and conduct an assessment of the potential renewable energies across the province.

Boucher Rymhs says ‚"then we could truly evaluate the options. Right now, we are being told nuclear power is the only option. The government is trying to pry a response out of people before Albertans have the opportunity to learn about other better choices!"

The Coalition views the "public consultation" process as a pro-nuclear skewed document framing a survey that is weighted to elicit a supportive response. It does not provide adequate information about the risks and costs of nuclear energy.

The group feels the government has not done its homework‚ and further components of its promised consultations are not geared to allow citizens to interact with each other at public hearings.

"This survey is like a multiple choice exam where all the answers are the same. Obviously the government is afraid if the choices include renewable energy solutions, Albertans will choose those answers over nuclear", says Boucher Rymhs.

For more information about the growing movement to keep Alberta Nuclear Free please go to www.keepalbertanuclearfree.com

For Media Inquiries
Please call Mandy Melnyk or Adele Boucher Rymhs
780-332-2554

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PRESS RELEASE

April 22, 2009, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada:

"Albertans must hear the truth, and the whole truth, about nuclear power," says Adele Boucher Rymhs, President of the Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta.

The Coalition met in Edmonton for the launch of its province--wide campaign to tell Albertans the implications of nuclear power. Representatives came from as far away as Chinook Country in the south, from the Peace Country in the north, and from many points in between. The Coalition consists of several grass roots groups that have combined forces to mount an information campaign for their fellow Albertans.

"It is absolutely imperative that everyone knows the truth about nuclear power. We have seen how the Government is deliberately leading people to believe that nuclear has no problems - that we should all just sit back and not worry."

Boucher Rymhs says the people of the Peace Country have learned first hand how the nuclear industry is manipulating public opinion with big donations and a slick greenwashing campaign. She feels the government is following the same path, and it is imperative that the public be given all the facts about the risks and consequences of nuclear power. "People are crying out for a full explanation of what it will mean to accept nuclear power as part of the energy mix of this province."

The Coalition's objective is to make available "the other side of the story". The group will inform people about where to find expert opinions, how to take action in their own community, and will point out what the government should have revealed in its Expert Panel's report. The campaign also includes information about alternative sources of sustainable renewable energy forms that are readily available in Alberta.

The Nuclear Free Alberta issue has been widely debated in the Peace Country where Alberta's first nuclear plan is proposed, but many parts of the province are not yet so involved. The Coalition hopes to change this with a massive poster campaign, and its new website - www.keepalbertanuclearfree.com .

This effort is being led by a team of six regional coordinators who are recruiting local groups and volunteers to spread the word, and help other Albertans become aware of the long term effects of nuclear power.Established pro-active organizations like Council of Canadians and the Sierra Club are lending support to the Coalition, and the umbrella group is working with their neighbor, Coalition for a Green Saskatchewan, that is also faced with the prospect of nuclear reactors in that province.

"It is appalling how the Expert Panel has skimmed over important issues - such as how we will manage nuclear waste, "says Boucher Rymhs. "In a 65 page report, they have dedicated a column and a half to tell us we need to be flexible, and leave the decisions to future generations as technology advances. What a cop out! That's just passing the buck to our children and grandchildren".

The Coalition plans to have a bold presence at public events around the province throughout the summer, starting with Earth Day activities, and is still circulating its petition requesting the government to develop green energy to combat climate change, and reject nuclear power as part of Alberta's energy plans.

For Media Inquiries
Please call Mandy Melnyk or Adele Boucher Rymhs
780-332-2554


The CNFA is rallying volunteers across Alberta to poster and spread the no nukes message.

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DECLARE YOUR OPPOSITION TO NUCLEAR POWER DEFEND YOUR RIGHT TO SAFETY DONATE TO THE CAUSE

DECLARE YOUR OPPOSITION TO NUCLEAR POWER DEFEND YOUR RIGHT TO SAFETY DONATE TO THE CAUSE

© 2009, Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta, CNFA - www.keepalbertanuclearfree.com