Malice in Blunderland?

by J.A.L. Robertson

Canadian Nuclear Society Bulletin, Vol. 19, Nos. 2 & 3, 1998

Preamble

An Environmental Assessment Panel has found AECL's concept for the disposal of nuclear-fuel wastes technically safe but not publicly acceptable. Part I of this paper exposes flaws in the Panel's Report; Part II discusses flaws in the Panel's process, and suggests how the situation can still be salvaged.

"'When I use a word,' Humpty-Dumpty said, 'it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less'" - Lewis Carroll

"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity" - A. Bloch

Part I, A Flawed Report

• Introduction
• Safety
• Acceptance
• The Aboriginal Viewpoint
• The Panel's Conclusions
• The Panel's Recommendations

Part II, A Flawed Process - and How to Improve It

• Reintroduction
• Time is Money - and Lives
• Nature and Composition of the Inquiry
• Conduct of the Hearings
• Information on Panel Activities
• Intervenor Funding
• Salvaging the Situation

• Appendix - Detailed Comments