As the government of an earthquake-ravaged country rushes to prevent a nuclear meltdown, there's a renewed argument that plans to build a radioactive plant in Peace River are too dangerous.

More than 200,000 people were evacuated from the area around Fukushima's Dai-ichi facility after an explosion Saturday prompted widespread fear of radiation.

On Sunday, operators in Japan fought to maintain temperatures in a series of nuclear reactors. At times, they threw sea water on the device – a technique international experts say is a last resort.

The worst case scenario would see temperature inside the reactor reach 2,000 Celsius, which would dissolve the uranium fuel pellets inside the fuel rods, starting a meltdown. A total system failure would release uranium and other toxic nuclear byproducts into the environment.

Some officials say if that level of devastation is reached, radiation particles could spread to Canada.

"This is the most hazardous situation you can find yourself in with nuclear power, it's a loss of control," said Anne Trudel, Manager of Environmental Health and Safety.

While authorities assure there is little risk to public health in both Japan and abroad, Denis Sauvageau with the Peace River Environmental Society says the world is witnessing the potentially lethal capacity of nuclear energy.

Plans to build a radioactive plant in Alberta were put on hold after heavy public debate in 2008 and 2009, but Bruce Power says it may revisit the project when market conditions improve.

"Bruce power, just go away please. We don't need this in Alberta," argued Sauvageau.

Canada has five nuclear power plants, but none west of Ontario. Ottawa says all reactors are placed in areas with low risk of earthquakes, tornadoes and floods.

CTV News is told Peace River is not immune to seismic activity. In 2009 a minor 3.5 earthquake shook the ground near one of the proposed nuclear sites.

Bruce Power released an undated statement on its website, assuring their plants are safe. The company says it has equipment that will shut down the reactor before any the release of any radioactive material.

Further assuaging public anxiety are comments made by the science director for the Chicago-based Heartland Institute, who went on record saying he doesn't think reactor failures are likely.

"I am also not worried about a major disaster to the people in Japan, outside of a small amount of radiation," Jay Lehr told CTV News Channel on Sunday.

"Japan is the most seismically active country that operates hugely on nuclear power. They build them for the worst-possible disaster. This is certainly one of them."

Experts say Saturday's explosion in Fukushima destroyed the building that housed the reactor, but not the actual steel envelope encasing the reactor.

With Files from Sean Amato and The Associated Press