Nuclear waste resolution now goes to the Senate

State Rep. Gary Howell (R-North Branch) recently addressed the Michigan House of Representatives in support of his House Concurrent Resolution 12, which he sponsored in response to a Canadian proposal to dispose of high-level nuclear waste near the shores of Lake Huron.

Howell gave an impassioned plea to his colleagues regarding the extreme seriousness of the potential of contaminated drinking water for 40 million people on both sides of the border. As a result, his resolution received overwhelming bipartisan support.

“When I first became aware of the proposal to permanently store high-level nuclear waste on the shores of Lake Huron, I immediately took steps to oppose it,” he said. “I have worked hard to educate my colleagues as to the potential ramifications if this nuclear waste dump is approved.”

The proposal by the Canadian Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has already made some progress in that various agreements have been made for land access. Howell has strongly advocated to end this project before it has a chance to get firmly established.

Recently, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation voted down a proposal by Ontario Power Generation to place low-and intermediate-level waste in the same region. A full 85% of those who voted opposed the plan. Howell is hoping that this action by the indigenous people will spur stronger Canadian opposition to the far more dangerous high-level nuclear waste proposal.

Opposition to the proposal has also been submitted by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the League of Conservation Voters, Trout Unlimited, and the Michigan Environmental Council.

HCR 12 now goes to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.

PHOTO INFORMATION: Rep. Gary Howell addressing the Michigan House of Representatives on his House Concurrent Resolution.