Saint Andrews Residents Speak Out Against Nuclear Generating Station's License Request

NB Power is seeking approval to operate the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station under an unprecedented 25 year lease when its current lease is up in June. Part two of the licensing hearings began on Tuesday in Saint John. Saint Andrews residents Chief Hugh Akagi of the Peskotomuhkati Nation and Kim Reeder spoke to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission on behalf of the Passamaquoddy Recognition Group.  

"We believe you should not grant a license of more than three years, if at all," said Reeder.

N.B. Power claims that Lepreau has a record for safety and reliability warranting a long lease, but Chief Akagi insists having radioactive waste stored on site close to the Bay of Fundy always has the potential to be dangerous in spite of safety measures. With that in mind, he is worried that a 25-year lease would leave out a whole generation of having their voices heard.

"Rest assured the colonial model is alive and well for I feel the objective was never to listen to us but to convince us that you still know what is best for us," said Chief Akagi. 

Nine tanker cars on a train about 2 kilometres in length derailed in Harvey Station about 40 kilometres south of Fredericton early Thursday morning. Fortunately no one injured in the accident and almost all of the derailed cars were empty except for one that was carrying a non-toxic powder used at paper mills, which spilled out onto the ground. Although the track had to be temporarily closed to accommodate repairs, it is once again fully operational within 30 hours of the derailment.