Regarding Nuclear Energy and Deep Geological Repositories

Quite simply, nuclear energy and deep geological repositories (DGRs) are not solutions to the climate crisis!

Nuclear is not emissions free; it requires uranium as a fuel - its mining, processing, and transportation all create carbon emissions and pollution. At all stages of the nuclear fuel chain toxic and carciniogenic elements are emitted into the air and water. Nuclear power produces raidioactive waste that requires complex containment in perpetuity. 

There is the risk of contamination of entire watersheds if radioactive water escapes the repositories (DGRs). If radioactive contamination is detected in the future, there will be no way to contain it and no way to retireve the thousands of buried canisters to rectify the problem. Radiation could also enter the environment through the transportation of millions of canisters if there is an accident. As well, the repackaging of waste canisters to butial canisters at the DGR site are also potential accident and exposure points. There are far too many risks for something that is not even environmentally friendly!

There are much better alternatives to nuclear energy. Solar panels and wind turbines are ready to go technologies. In tandem with energy efficiency measures, storage and smart grid technology, renewable sources of energy are the smart and timely investment.

Communities that would be impacted, including those along the waterways that would be affected if there was a leak - this would include Manitoba residents, like myself, need to be given a voice in this. 

I believe that we have come to a point where taking risks like this are unnecessary when there are helpful alternatives.