The Warren Sun

Representative John James has joined forces with other lawmakers to oppose Canada's plan to store nuclear waste in the Great Lakes basin. James, along with Representative Dan Kildee and Senator Debbie Stabenow, sent a letter urging the inclusion of a bipartisan measure in the FY 2025 national defense bill. This measure aims to prevent the permanent storage of nuclear waste in this vital region.

Canada plans to build a facility in South Bruce, Ontario, for storing over 50,000 tons of high-level nuclear waste. The letter highlights concerns about potential accidents involving radioactive waste near the Great Lakes, which could have severe consequences for millions who rely on these waters.

The House-passed FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) already includes an amendment opposing this storage plan. The letter requests that this amendment be part of the final NDAA negotiated between the House and Senate.

Several senators and representatives signed the letter, including Senators Gary Peters, Richard Durbin, Amy Klobuchar, Tammy Baldwin, and Tammy Duckworth. Representatives Bill Huizenga, Debbie Dingell, John Moolenaar, Jack Bergman, Elissa Slotkin, Haley Stevens, and Rashida Tlaib also endorsed it.

The letter stresses that "the Great Lakes are one of our most precious natural resources" and underscores their importance as a source of fresh water and economic activity. It recalls past U.S.-Canada cooperation to prevent nuclear waste storage in shared water basins.

Lawmakers are pushing for legislation urging President Biden's administration to work with Canada on this issue. They seek inclusion of language from H.Res.243 and S.Res.117 in the final NDAA bill to express Congress's stance against permanent nuclear waste storage in the Great Lakes basin.