by Thérèse Boudreaux
The Canadian government’s ongoing plan to permanently store 50,000 tons of highly radioactive nuclear waste in the Great Lakes basin near Ontario has sparked bipartisan opposition from lawmakers in Michigan and other Midwest states.
Led by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and U.S. Reps. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., and John James, R-Mich., 15 lawmakers in total signed a letter urging the authors of the fiscal year 2025 national defense bill to include an amendment opposing the project.
“High-level nuclear waste is the most dangerous form of nuclear waste and remains hazardous for tens of thousands of years,” Kildee wrote. “Any accident involving radioactive waste near the Great Lakes would have devastating and long-term consequences for the health of Michiganders and all other people who depend on the Great Lakes for their livelihood.”
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization, which backs the project, has planned a presentation to announce a preferred location before the end of the year. It is currently considering an underground storage facility west of Ignace or another location near an operating nuclear power plant in southwestern Ontario.
Nuclear Waste Management has maintained that the plan is “safe, low-risk, technically sound and consistent with best practices from around the world.” It has been in contact with local native tribes and pledges to only proceed in an area with informed and willing hosts.
“Working together with the communities in potential siting areas, we continue to explore the potential for partnership, provide support for the processes they will use to evaluate and express willingness, and discuss how the project could be implemented in a way that enhances community well-being,” the organization’s website reads.
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Thérèse Boudreaux is an apprentice reporter covering Michigan and Wisconsin for The Center Square, under the mentorship of Midwest Regional Editor J.D. Davidson. Her work focuses on election-related news in these two states. Previously, she interned at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Thérèse graduated with a major in politics from Hillsdale College in May of 2024, where she produced award-winning radio journalism.
