Nukewatch Quarterly Winter 2013-2014
CANADA — Ontario’s Liberal Party government cancelled plans for two new nuclear reactors Oct. 10, citing a current energy surplus and the high cost of investment. The reactors, initiated in 2009, were projected to cost $26 billion, and the government spent $26 million on preparatory costs before abandoning the project. Ontario will still invest in the “refurbishment” of its existing reactors at Bruce Power near Kincardine and Darlington Nuclear Generating Station in Clarington. According to Greenpeace spokesperson Shawn-Patrick Stensil in Toronto, “The government deserves credit for finally ending the charade that new reactors are needed and cost effective. Hopefully the government won’t take the industry’s cost claims for the refurbishment at face value and will require a full public review.” Currently, Ontario gets about 50% of its electricity from nuclear reactors. — Reuters Canada, Dec. 4; Platts News Service, Dec. 3; Canadian Press, Oct. 10, 2013
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