Haldimand "No Nuclear Plant slated for Haldimand County"
I had a conversation with MPP Toby Barrett on Monday of this week regarding a Nuclear Power Generating Station in Nanticoke. According to Toby, the New Nuclear Plant is slated for Clarington. I am wondering now where did the information originally come from that there was a possibility of a Nuclear Plant being built in Nanticoke? I certainly believed that this was a possibility, as recently (November 2007) Haldimand County spent $5,000.00 on a report regarding the benefits of a Nuclear Plant in Haldimand County. Well I did a bit of research (took about 10 minutes) and I had all the answers.
The following reports are from the Haldimand County website. One report from September 29th, 2007, and the other from December 17th, 2007. While I was doing some research on the quest that our Council has taken regarding securing a Nuclear Plant in Haldimand County, I came across some information from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
Report PED-ED-06-2007 ( a little over midway down the page):
http://www.haldimandcounty.on.ca/includes/list-directory.asp?folder=/Documents/council_cao/Reports%20Considered%20by%20Council/2007/2007-09-24
Report PED-PD-08-2007 is at the following link and is found near the bottom of the page:
http://www.haldimandcounty.on.ca/includes/list-directory.asp?folder=/Documents/council_cao/Reports%20Considered%20by%20Council/2007/2007-12-17
What I found very interesting is that it seems that Haldimand County was "never" an option for a Nuclear Power Generating Station, as I found no information relating to Haldimand County. In fact in September 2006, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) received an application from Ontario Power Generation (OPG) for a licence to prepare a site for the future construction and operation of a new nuclear power plant at the Darlington nuclear site located in the regional municipality of Durham, Ontario. (this information is below as well in the regulatory related information)
The following information comes directly from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. It gives the history and related news releases regarding the building of a "NEW" Nuclear Plant in Ontario. This process seems to have started in September 2006.
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/
Information Bulletin
07-10 October 18, 2007
Subject: Public Consultation, Draft Regulatory Document RD-346, Site Evaluation for New Nuclear Power Plants
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has released for public consultation, draft regulatory document RD-346, Site Evaluation for New Nuclear Power Plants.This draft document sets out regulatory expectations for site evaluations of new nuclear power plants. It takes into account all phases of the nuclear power plant’s life cycle, from site preparation to abandonment. Information gathered during the site evaluation process may be used during the environmental assessment process.
RD-346 sets out the technical safety and security criteria against which the CNSC will review the results of site evaluation when it receives an application for a Licence to Prepare a Site for a new nuclear power plant. The document represents the CNSC’s adoption and where applicable, adaptation of the guidance established by the International Atomic Energy Agency in document NS-R-3, Site Evaluation for Nuclear Installations and associated guidance documents.
Given the importance and complexity of the subject matter contained in draft RD-346, Site Evaluation for New Nuclear Power Plants, CNSC staff will hold an information session in the upcoming weeks, to help our stakeholders better understand this document. An overview of the document will be presented, along with an explanation of the safety philosophy, fundamentals, and principles underlying its development. A question and answer session will follow, to provide an opportunity to ask questions for clarification. Further details about this information session will be posted on the CNSC’s Web site at www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca.
"The consultation period is from October 16, 2007 to January 14, 2008."
Stakeholder comments, including names and affiliations, may be made public.
Draft documents can be consulted online on our Website. Comments can be submitted electronically, to consultation@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca.
To order a printed copy, or to communicate with us in writing, please contact us at the address below.
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Regulatory Framework Division 280 Slater Street, P.O. Box 1046, Station B Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5S9
Regulatory-related Information
Update
Darlington Nuclear Generating Station: New Nuclear Power Plant Application
In September 2006, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) received an application from Ontario Power Generation (OPG) for a licence to prepare a site for the future construction and operation of a new nuclear power plant at the Darlington nuclear site located in the regional municipality of Durham, Ontario.
In November 2006, the CNSC conditionally accepted OPG’s application subject to the provision of further information.
CNSC staff has determined that the application is for a project which requires an Environmental Assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (external link) and related regulations before any licence may be granted.
In May 2007, the Project Description was accepted as suitable for the Environmental Assessment determination and for the implementation of Federal Co-Ordination Regulations (external link to legal text).
News Releases
CNSC Announces Early Referral Decision on Environmental Assessment Regarding Ontario Power Generation Inc.’s Proposal to Construct and Operate a Nuclear Power Generating Station at the Darlington Nuclear Site in Ontario
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2008
Following a Commission meeting held on December 5, 2007 in Ottawa, Ontario, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced today its decision to request that the federal Minister of the Environment refer to a review panel the environmental assessment of the project for new nuclear reactors proposed by Ontario Power Generation Inc.’s (OPG).
The referral is now with the Minister of the Environment for his consideration.
OPG has applied to the CNSC for a licence to prepare a site for the future construction and operation of additional nuclear reactors on the Darlington Nuclear Site within the municipality of Clarington, Ontario. An environmental assessment is required pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act before the Commission may proceed with its consideration of the licence application.
The Commission, in making its decision, considered OPG’s project description. The Commission also considered the views already expressed by public interest groups and in media reports on major nuclear projects, as well as the Commission’s extensive experience with consultation on major nuclear projects. The Commission determined that public concerns warrant that a request be made to the Minister for an early referral to a review panel.
A Record of Proceedings, including Reasons for Decision and transcripts of the hearing are available on the CNSC Web site at www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca, or by contacting the CNSC.
The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment and to respect Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Pascale Bourassa
Commission Secretariat
613-947-0247
1-800-668-5284
interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
This is Great News Donna, Thank-You!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHere is an interesting news article that a friend e-mailed me;
ReplyDeleteNANTICOKE NOT IN PLANS FOR NUCLEAR INVESTMENT, MINISTRY SAYS:
Province sets nuclear sights elsewhere
Monte Sonnenberg Simcoe Reformer- Oct 18, 2007
Norfolk and Haldimand will have to do some arm twisting if they hope to see nuclear reactor built In Nanticoke
Yesterday, the Ministry of Energy affirmed Its commitment to invest in new nuclear capacity only in -communities that already have reactors.
This spring, a spokesman for energy minister Dwight Duncan said existing sites in Pickering, Darlington and Bruce County are in line to receive additional investment. The spokesman explicitly stated that alternative sites are not being considered, Including Nanticoke.
Yesterday, ministry representative Sylvia Kovesfalvi said nothing has changed.
"The government remains committed to building reactors at the site of existing nuclear stations,"
The McGuinty government is committed to closing the Nanticoke Generating Station by 2014.
Queens Park has concluded that the continent's largest coal-fired generating station is detrimental to the province's air quality and is a major producer of greenhouse gases. The plan is unlikely to change now that the McGuinty Liberals have been elected to a second majority government.
The Nanticoke station supports 600 good-paying jobs and pumps millions of dollars into the local economy. It is also
a major source of tax revenue for Haldimand County.
The pending closure of the station has politicians in Norfolk and Haldimand searching for alternatives. Despite the ministry''s pledge to group new reactors with existing reactors, councils in Haldimand and Norfolk remain optimistic that the province can be persuaded to change its mind.
Key to these discussions is the massive transmission corridor that begins at the Nanticoke station and heads north into the Ontario heartland. Yesterday, Dunnville Coun. Lorne Boyko said a corridor like this would be impossible to assemble today and is thus an irreplaceable asset.
"That is our ace in the hole," he said. "There have been reports that we are not in the running. But that corridor makes us a candidate. The cost of replacing or duplicating that corridor would be tremendous."
As well, nuclear reactors must be located beside large bodies of fresh water for cooling purposes.
The Ministry of Energy has signaled that Norfolk and Haldimand are out of the running for a nuclear facility. However, that hasn''t stopped the counties from holding public information sessions or studying nuclear''s potential impact on the local economy.
The counties recently paid $5,000 to have Trent University economist Harry Kitchen analyze the economic impact a two megawatt nuclear station would have on the local area.
Professor Kitchen''s report was tabled Monday at Haldimand council. Based on the experience of other Ontario communities with nuclear installations, Kitchen has concluded that construction of a facility in Nanticoke would
?? cost about $7 billion.
?? create full-time work for nearly 1,000 people for the nine ~years it would take to build.
?? boost economic activity in Haldimand and Norfolk by about 15 per cent during the period of construction.
Once the plant is up and running, Kitchen concludes the installation would infuse an additional $150 mil
lion a year into the local economy over the facility''s 60-year life span. The boost to the local economy would be about four per cent a year in 2006 dollars.
Taxes to Haldimand County would be worth about $2.1 million a year. Kitchen estimates the facility would create full-time work for about 1,500 people.
Kitchen''s report received an enthusiastic reception at Norfolk council Tuesday night.
"This is a very positive report," Mayor. Dennis Travale said in a statement. "The impacts of a new-build nuclear power-generating plant in the Nanticoke Industrial Park would be tremendously beneficial to the economy, the citizens and the business community of Norfolk.
"The jobs created would more than offset the closure of all or part of the coal-burning plant and would offer attractive opportunities to any displaced worker as well as the youth of Norfolk. The added affirmative impacts on our economy would be a major boost to counter the results from the decline in tobacco growing."
I am not well versed on Nuclear, but I was told that our ground is not suited to hold the waste.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this valuable information Donna, as it clears the air. Too bad our council didn't put this much effort into the simple things, like lowering the speed limit on Rd. 17, oops, they turned that one down again, what are they really doing?
Lorne Boyko said it best in the above news report. "That is our ace in the hole," he said. "There have been reports that we are not in the running. But that corridor makes us a candidate. The cost of replacing or duplicating that corridor would be tremendous." Council already new they wern't in the running, but they spent our money anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This council won't do anything about the illegal smoke shops in Caledonia, yet they spent our tax dollars going after something that they know wont happen.
ReplyDeleteI am convinced that our entire council are a bunch of .........s
So McGuinty is planning to close Naticoke by 2014. I think we will be closing the door on the McGuinty Liberals a few years before that takes place. Based on their performance so far this man and his group need to go as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteLisa Parent
I couldn't agree with you more Lisa.
ReplyDeleteThe following says it all, in particular the "promise" that McGuinty made to "Dofasco".
For immediate release:
August 29, 2007
Dalton McGuinty supports coal in Hamilton but promises to eliminate 600 jobs at Nanticoke: Barrett
Simcoe—“Dalton McGuinty will say anything to anybody, if he thinks he can buy a vote” – MPP Toby Barrett
That’s what Toby Barrett said upon receiving word that the Ontario Government is investing in coal technology in Hamilton, but not locally at OPG Nanticoke.
“Today in Hamilton, Dalton McGuinty finally admitted that there are ‘innovative new technologies’ to clean up coal,” Barrett continued. “We’re talking about a government that called us ‘cave men’ because we want to clean up our coal plants.”
“Locally, people are very supportive of investing in clean-air technology at OPG Nanticoke,” Barrett said. “Rather than cleaning up OPG Nanticoke, Dalton McGuinty plans to leave proven environmental technology on the shelf, while jeopardizing 600 good-paying jobs.”
Barrett made his remarks after reading Dalton McGuinty’s latest news release from the $26 billion election spending spree. Dofasco in Hamilton is getting $6 million from the provincial government to switch to pulverized coal injection. Just 50 miles south, Dalton McGuinty continues to promise to eliminate 600 good-paying jobs in his quest to eliminate coal.
“I realize that the Premier is in trouble in Hamilton, and needs to buy votes,” Barrett concluded. “But our air and our economy need similar investments here – It’s time for fairness.”
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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: (519) 428-0446 or
1-800-903-8629