Lake Ontario Basin Update
Prospect of Nuclear Power in Ontario
By Krystyn Tully
On September 14, 2005, Ontario
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced
that the province is considering
investing “billions” in new nuclear
plants. One month later, the McGuinty
government announced a deal to refurbish reactors on Lake
Huron. All fall, lobbyists, public interest groups, and editors have
been filling the newspapers with their responses to the
McGuinty energy plan.
Perhaps the most eloquent
appeal to include the public
in the decision-making came
from Murray Campbell
writing in the Globe and
Mail. His call for meaningful
public debate mirrors the
position of many of Ontario’s
leading environmental and
community organizations,
including: Citizens for
Renewable Energy, Families
Against Radiat i o n
Exposure, Greenpeace,
Georgian Baykeeper,
Sierra Club, Port Hope
Community Health Concerns Committee, Port Hope Nuclear
Environmental Watchdogs and Lake Ontario Waterkeeper.
Unfortunately, the nuclear industry’s long-standing aversion to
public scrutiny appears to be shared by the mainstream media,
federal regulators, and Ontario's governing party.
The province’s governing party - clearly supports nuclear energy.
To affirm its support, the Ontario Liberal Party (OLP) passed a
resolution in November, 2004, recognizing that, “an appropriate
supply mix” includes, “a viable nuclear component that utilizes
installed and new capacity.” In his September 14, 2005, speech,
Premier McGuinty reportedly told the audience that he’s willing
to take a political hit for building nuclear plants even if they
prove unpopular.
At the federal level, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
repeatedly rejects pleas for increased public scrutiny. The
independent regulator is currently overseeing two major nuclear
expansion projects: the introduction of new enriched uranium
fuel, and the reconstruction of reactors on Lake Huron.
With the exception of Murray Campbell, the mainstream media
is also embracing McGuinty’s new nuclear plan. “Ontario needs
more nuclear power plants,” wrote the Globe and Mail. The
paper’s main concern was
whether the new plants
would be owned by public
or private interests.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Star
also expressed staunch
support for nuclear power,
dismissing the idea of an
informed decision-making
process altogether:“Ontario
is running short on time.
We shouldn’t waste overmuch
of it debating the
inevitable, controversial
though nuclear power is.
Rather, we should be
discussing where new plants should be located.”
To hear the OLP, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission,
or the Canadian media, you'd think that we already have all
the answers we need to go forward: Ontario's obsolete
energy program will be a thing of the past if only we build
more nuclear plants.
Don’t be fooled by their exuberance: The push for a public
hearing is not about being right or wrong, pro-nuclear or antinuclear.
It’s about making the most informed decision possible.
As Murray Campbell says,“the province's future hangs on it.”
For more information:
Krystyn Tully, GLAHNF Lake Advisor
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper
245 Queen’s Quay W., Toronto, ONT M5J 2K9
(416) 861-1237 • krystyn@waterkeeper.ca
Disclaimer:
The interpretations and conclusions presented in this newsletter represent the opinions of the individual authors. They in no way represent the views of the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, the C.S. Mott Foundation, subscribers, donors, or any organization mentioned in this publication.
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