From Kerrie Keith to The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission re: Comments on the Project Description for the Micro Modular Reactor Project at Chalk River

Good afternoon Ms Rupert,
 
My apologies for the delay, but I, too, would like to comment on the environmental impact of the Micro Modular Reactor Project at Chalk River. 
 
As someone who cares deeply about sustainability, it is clear that nuclear energy is not only not sustainable, it is also dangerous, expensive and includes several embedded carbon and radioactive costs.  Nuclear energy is not carbon-free as it has materials that are not only generated at huge carbonic costs but also transported and maintained on a regular polluting basis to support its existence. 
 
As we all know, nuclear energy expends a frightening waste product and it also transfers its radiation to its surrounding environment.  Radiation is not cheap nor easy to contain and it persists for tens of thousands of years.  Nuclear energy is dirty and dangerous in and of itself even before considering any potential accidents that may occur.
 
As of 2014, there have been more than 100 serious nuclear accidents and incidents from the use of nuclear power. Fifty-seven accidents have occurred since the Chernobyl disaster, and about 60% of all nuclear-related accidents have occurred in the USA. Serious nuclear power plant accidents include the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (2011), the Chernobyl disaster (1986), the Three Mile Island accident (1979), and the SL-1 accident (1961).
 
My hope is that for the existing 450 nuclear reactors in the world, there will be no accidents.  But there will still be waste.  In order to address the waste from these reactors, one must employ some deep time thinking.  The present day accepted solution is to entomb retired reactors, as we cannot risk the danger of transporting radioactive waste.  But this begs a bigger question, how do we alert generations 10000 years from now of the danger contained in a massive cement structure? 
 
Languages change, symbols change, the way to commute the danger will be a challenge.  Deep time thinking is the only way to responsibly manage the sunset of nuclear technology.  And it starts with not adding anymore challenges to an already challenging landscape.
 
If we are serious about addressing climate change, we must adopt a sustainable approach to how we generate energy.  Quite simply, any energy generated should be clean and safe.  How to measure the comfort of the Micro Modular Reactor Project is to ask: which of the following would you not want in your backyard: a solar panel array, a wind turbine or a nuclear reactor?

My comment is that Global First Power's project for a Micro Modular Reactor must undergo a rigorous environmental assessment as it will produce very hazardous radioactive waste which is a threat to the environment and public health.

Thank you for soliciting feedback and input as this subject is of the utmost importance to everyone!
 
Sincerely,
 
Kerri Keith