Michigan lawmakers urge Canada to reconsider placing nuclear waste storage near Great Lakes

Citing potential risks, Michigan lawmakers pressed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week for final plans regarding a permanent nuclear waste repository away from the Great Lakes.

The concerns of U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (D), Fred Upton (R), Paul Mitchell (R) and Dan Kildee (D) build on an amendment (H.R. 2699) advanced by the House Energy and Commerce Committee in November, as well as a House-approved measure last year that officially opposed the permanent or long-term storage of spent radioactive waste anywhere near the Great Lakes. That resolution, however, was never taken up by the Senate.

“We stand in strong opposition to any decision by the Canadian government to select or consider a permanent national repository for nuclear waste storage anywhere near the Great Lakes,” the lawmakers wrote. “This is a treasured natural resource each of our countries share, and we urge you to stand with us to protect these waters for future generations.”

Such a facility should not be located near the Great Lakes basin for any amount of time, the representatives argued, further stating that its risk outweighs any potential gains. They also expressed concern over recent reports indicating that not only would radioactive waste be deployed at the new Canadian facility, but it would be some of the highest levels of radioactive waste currently output.

“These waters have long united us—they should not divide us,” the lawmakers wrote.