Great Lakes groups are calling for answers after uncovering plans for the possible transport of high-level radioactive waste from Illinois to Port Huron.
The Great Lakes Environmental Alliance says a letter from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on July 13, 2018, cites an application under 45-day review to move spent fuel from the LaSalle nuclear power reactors to Port Huron as a "Port of Exit."
Alliance spokesperson Kay Cumbow wants to know why it's being sent to Port Huron.
She says the city has just one deepwater port, which is mainly used for recreation not large industrial shipments.
"We don't really think they're going to send large amounts, so that leaves Canada as the destination or that it's passing through Canada," says Cumbow.
She says a ground route would bring the waste over the Blue Water Bridge, or through the rail tunnel, into Ontario.
"A spill, release or fire here or near waterways that flow into the St. Clair River, could potentially ruin one of the largest freshwater deltas in the world -- the St. Clair Flats -- and potentially poison forever, drinking water and freshwater ecosystems for up to 40+ million people of the Great Lakes."
Other anti-nuclear activists in Michigan, Illinois and Maryland have echoed the concerns.
Cumbow says the number of shipments and a timeline remain unknown.
But, she says she understands certain safeguards are necessary given the fact these materials are high-security risks.
