Alberta may join the nuclear renaissance
Energy Alberta recently made a presentation to the Stelmach (Ed Stelmach is the Premier of Alberta) government to teach them a little more about nuclear power and its potential benefits to the province. The company is in the early stages of planning for a two unit CANDU 6 reactor power station that will produce 2200 MW of electricity plus useful byproduct heat. You can find a good description of the project and the local reaction to in an article in the Calgary Herald titled Calgary firm seeks OK for nuclear reactor in Alberta
In the region where the plant will be located, there are two large industries that have already expressed interest in the plant’s heat and electricity – the oil from oil sands production business and the forrest products business. Both need massive quantities of heat and electricity and both are currently limited in their ability to expand by restrictions in their current and projected future supplies.
As expected in a “balanced” news story, there is an obligatory statement of opposition from so called environmental groups. The paragraphs devoted to their comments are particularly interesting in light of the support expressed by others.
However, the Alberta Liberals said they’re skeptical about nuclear power in Alberta, while environmental groups are fiercely opposed to it, suggesting it’s downright radioactive.
“It looks more and more like the Tory government has let the nuclear genie out of the bottle without ever consulting with Albertans,” said Liberal Leader Kevin Taft.
Officials with the Pembina Institute, an environmental think-tank, argue concerns about how to dispose of nuclear waste outweigh the potential benefits of a reactor, such as an increased electricity supply and a reduction in greenhouse gases emitted, compared to coal-fired plants.
Many thanks to my friend Jerry for the link to the story.
