The Birch-Bark Alliance
Periodical profile published 1979

Publisher:  OPIRG Peterborough, c/o Trent University, Peterborough, Canada
Year Published:  1979
Pages:  16pp   Resource Type:  Serial Publication (Periodical)
Cx Number:  CX944

This newspaper calls itself "Ontario voice of nuclear concern."

Abstract: 
This newspaper calls itself "Ontario voice of nuclear concern." The lead article "A.E.C.B. Relaxes Radiation Standards" by Gordon Edwards, outlines proposed changes contained in a recent Atomic Energy Control Board document. These changes allow permissible limits of radiation exposure for members of the general public to increase four times and an additional ten times in cases where it is uneconomic for the owner of a nuclear plant to reach these new less stringent standards.

Another article by Mike Bean discusses the Porter report which states that "Nuclear energy should no longer receive the major portion of energy research funding." The article entitled "The Credibility Collapse" by Paul McKay traces the controversial history of the Committee on Nuclear Issues in the community, from which several people have resigned because they see C.O.N.I.C. as a whitewashing operation.

The controversial decision by the Ontario government to exempt the Darlington nuclear station from the Environmental Assessment Act (1975) was primarily based on Ontario Hydro forecasts of electricity shortages by 1985 if construction were not begun in 1977. The article 'Darlington, Feeding Hydro's Habit' by Doug Saunders examines those forecasts in light of trends in electrical growth during the past five years, and shows that Hydro and the Ministry of Energy have overestimated electrical growth to the point where the financial stability of Ontario Hydro is being undermined by the construction program undertaken to meet their demand projections.

Still another article, "The Yellowcake Connection" by Paul McKay, illuminates the central role of the Canadian government in an illegal uranium cartel that triggered a staggering 700 per cent increase in world market prices, lined the pockets of Gulf Oil and an invisible group of multinationals, and caused Hydro rates to skyrocket.


50 cents/issue; Individ. $4./2 yr.; Instit. $8./2 yr.