tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post3885214626693540626..comments2024-03-22T02:18:33.649-07:00Comments on Haldimand's Unheard Voice: Haldimand "Are We Going Nuclear?"Donna Pitcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938591277088755092noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-33521532038238087422010-03-24T05:47:58.109-07:002010-03-24T05:47:58.109-07:00I could swear that we were told not that long ago ...I could swear that we were told not that long ago that this was a dead issue!? You see how these people work, these people from Bruce Power and our governing bodies!? They're like spiders, weaving beautiful webs for us all to see, to enhance us with the art and draw us closer until, finally and suddenly we are trapped with no chance to escape. As soon as we let down our guard they continued to work underground behind our backs to achieve their purpose, money and power. Well there are many things in life more valuable than money and power like our neighbours, our friends and families, our forests and waterways, wildlife, pets, PEACE OF MIND!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is our duty to protect these things! We can't just sit back and let this happen. We must fight with everything we have and continue to fight until we know for certain that this evil is finally and forever dead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-65143080829142058962008-11-04T10:46:00.000-08:002008-11-04T10:46:00.000-08:00I agree with most of the above.Haldimand County Co...I agree with most of the above.<BR/><BR/>Haldimand County Council has sold us out for a few million a year in tax revenue.<BR/><BR/>Keep the Nuclear Plants in the communities that are all for it, we are not for it here!<BR/><BR/>We are not a willing host as our council has made us out to be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-19145823204820715832008-11-04T04:37:00.000-08:002008-11-04T04:37:00.000-08:00Thanks everyone for you comments. I have not heard...Thanks everyone for you comments. I have not heard of any petitions, but I will let everyone know if I do hear of one.<BR/><BR/>Here is another news article about the announcemnet;<BR/><BR/>Nuclear power surge; Bruce Power Announces Plans to Build Two Reactors in<BR/>Nanticoke<BR/>Simcoe Reformer<BR/>Monday, November 3, 2008<BR/><BR/>BY ASHLEY HOUSE, SIMCOE REFORMER<BR/><BR/>Local officials are giving their stamp of approval on the first step to a nuclear power plant in Nanticoke -- despite the lack of provincial support.<BR/><BR/>Bruce Power announced plans Friday to build two nuclear reactors on an<BR/>800-hectare site within the Lake Erie Industrial Park in Haldimand.<BR/><BR/>After site preparation approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety commission, the first step is a federal environmental assessment of the proposed project.<BR/><BR/>But the Ontario government is clear it is not on board.<BR/><BR/>A statement from the Ontario Government said they have "not encouraged or solicited a proposal to build a nuclear generating station in the Haldimand<BR/>Norfolk Region."<BR/><BR/>Instead, they are looking at energy conservation measures and investments in renewable energies like solar, wind, hydrogen and biomass to replace coal-fired<BR/>energy.<BR/><BR/>"Adding more nuclear beyond the existing supply of 50 per cent (14,000 megawatts) is not in Ontario's plans or in Ontario's interest," said Minister of<BR/>Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman.<BR/><BR/>Still, Haldimand Mayor Marie Trainer and Norfolk Mayor Dennis Travale, along with Haldimand Norfolk MP Diane Finley, accompanied Bruce Power at the proposed site Friday touting the possibilities a nuclear plant could have for the surrounding communities, especially given that Ontario Power Generation's<BR/>Nanticoke coal-fired generating station is slated to be closed by the province in 2014. The station employs 600 people.<BR/><BR/>"We need that power and it might as well be here," Finley said. "The real key here, apart from reliable, safe and affordable energy is the potential to create<BR/>1,000 jobs for 60 years."<BR/><BR/>Research out of Trent University projected the Nanticoke plant could also inject $550 million annually into the regional economy during construction and $152<BR/>million while in operation.<BR/><BR/>"There are a million spin offs like shopping in our stores, eating our food, moving into our area, more tourists," Trainer said.<BR/><BR/>Last year, both counties passed resolutions supporting an environmental assessment and asked the McGuinty government to consider Nanticoke as a potential new nuclear site. "If you look around you might not find a better site in Canada," said Duncan Hawthorne, Bruce Power's chief executive officer and<BR/>president.<BR/><BR/>The isolated area within an already existing industrial area and close proximity to both Lake Erie and the existing 500 kV transmission grid that distributes to the rest of Ontario are all appealing factors for Bruce Power.<BR/><BR/>However, the government's energy plan only includes renewing its nuclear facilities at existing sites -- not building new ones.<BR/><BR/>The plant would provide the base load to the grid and look into other clean energy sources like hydrogen, solar and wind power as a complement to the facility.<BR/><BR/>Travale agreed with everyone that an environmental assessment is only the first step and the community's input is wanted.<BR/><BR/>"This is not an open and closed case," Travale said. "We've been presented an opportunity. Without getting too far ahead, the public will have an opportunity<BR/>to have their say."<BR/><BR/>NUCLEAR PROPOSAL<BR/><BR/>Bruce Power announced Friday they are taking the first step, an environmental assessment, in their Nanticoke Nuclear Power Plant Project. Below is an outline<BR/>of the plan.<BR/><BR/>- Two nuclear reactors generating 2,000 to 3,000 megawatts of low-emissions<BR/>electricity to Ontario's energy grid.<BR/><BR/>- To be built on 800 hectares of land within the Lake Erie Industrial Park in<BR/>Haldimand County, just 4 km west of the north-south provincial 500 kV transmission network.<BR/><BR/>- The environmental assessment will look at environmental and social impacts of a nuclear plant in Haldimand Norfolk and is slated to take three years.<BR/><BR/>- The plant, if it moves forward, could be producing energy in 2018, employing 1,000 people for 60 years.<BR/><BR/>- The environmental assessment is estimated to cost $30 million with the construction to cost an estimated $8 billion.<BR/><BR/>- The nuclear plant would provide the base load of energy demand and is looking to other clean energy sources like solar, wind and hydrogen to complement the<BR/>facility.<BR/><BR/>- Research out of Trent University projected the Nanticoke plant could inject $550 million annually into the regional economy during construction and $152<BR/>million while in operation.Donna Pitcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01938591277088755092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-17060035031253853452008-11-04T04:32:00.000-08:002008-11-04T04:32:00.000-08:00I agree with dragon. Bring on the petition, I want...I agree with dragon. Bring on the petition, I want to sign it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-35828706015872883242008-11-03T12:12:00.000-08:002008-11-03T12:12:00.000-08:00"Soon after, a poll conducted by Ipsos-Reid showed..."Soon after, a poll conducted by Ipsos-Reid showed more than 80 per cent of residents were open to the EA planning process and that nearly two-thirds of people in the area support nuclear energy." This is a quote from the above posted news article...with this published, it SEEMS that the members of Council have the mandate to go ahead, it SEEMS that they are actively representing the people as they should. Now, I am the first to cynically question the accuracy of such polls, so perhaps this is an indication that a more accurate reading of public opinion needs to be conducted somehow...or perhaps the public should be educated more. Talking to the politicians who do whatever they want to do, for whatever reasons they may have, honourable or not, may be a waste of energy. This should be brought to the people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-29186375093155620082008-11-03T06:25:00.000-08:002008-11-03T06:25:00.000-08:00To tell the truth I'm really struggling with this ...To tell the truth I'm really struggling with this whole idea of a nuclear power plant. I mean the word "nuclear" sends chills up and down my spine but I don't know whether my fears are justified or not. Being a "baby boomer" and growing up through the 50s and 60s I was subjected on a regular basis to the threat of nuclear war. Believe me, from a kid's point of view the "cold war" was every bit as frightening psycologically as any war ever lived through. I remember the "Bay of Pigs" incident as one of the scariest times of my life. I remember when we got our first TV and there were stories on CBS News on a regular basis about people building bomb shelters in their back yards. In fact many popular magazines of the time advertised plans and kits for building them.<BR/>But is a nuclea power plant the same thing as a nuclear bomb? Does it carry the same threat? After all, there are many such power plants around the world which have been operating safely and successfully for many years (with the exception of Chernoble of course) Oh yeah, Chernoble! But should one such incident be enough to scare us off from nuclear power? Well THE BOMB was used in Hiroshima nad Nagasaki and though many have been manufactured since the results of what happened there have been enough to date to keep anyone from unleashing that poweragain. Therefore if anyone is planning or setting up any kind of organization to stop this from happening, yep, you betcha, count me in. I would rather err on the side of fear than see this beautiful planet of ours laid to waste and not try to do something to stop it.dragonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00439063651365586069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-68947326703274351512008-11-03T05:48:00.000-08:002008-11-03T05:48:00.000-08:00The annoucnement that the Province made is just to...The annoucnement that the Province made is just to make us think that this is just an exercise.<BR/><BR/>Be aware of the political games that are played when it comes to Billions of Dollars.<BR/><BR/>This is just a way of easing the minds of most, therefore people will not get involved. Then before you know it we have a Nuclear Facility in our backyard!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-73089093999025530382008-11-03T05:46:00.000-08:002008-11-03T05:46:00.000-08:00Thanks for your comments.I will agree with the abo...Thanks for your comments.<BR/><BR/>I will agree with the above posters in regards to the Province. It just does not make sense. There seems to be a few pieces of the puzzle missing. <BR/><BR/>I am not sure of the cost of an EA, but I believe it is in the millions. This does seem to be a lot of money to invest if there is no positive outcome at the end.<BR/><BR/>It brings up the question as to what the truth is in the process.<BR/><BR/>Does the Province of Ontario have to put their stamp of approval on a New Nuclear Build in Nanticoke?<BR/><BR/>Does the Federal Government have the vito power over the Province in regards to Nuclear Regulations, the EA process and the ultimate decision makers?<BR/><BR/>If anyone has any information on the above, please feel free to post!Donna Pitcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01938591277088755092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-69862491771610174092008-11-03T04:24:00.000-08:002008-11-03T04:24:00.000-08:00You bet it smells fishy! The timing of Smitherman'...You bet it smells fishy! The timing of Smitherman's statement is nothing but a "red herring"; with his knowing of the announcement well before-hand, The Bruce, OPG, and Provincial strategy mix, is Biomass (OPG Nanticoke), wind, solar and nuclear after the Nanticoke coal-fired plant shuts down. The only alternative to nuclear remains clean-coal-technology and carbon sequestration. Therefore, people of Haldimand/Norfolk need to lobby "hard" for clean-coal as the greater alternative to nuclear?<BR/><BR/>EarpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-68378057426770333872008-11-02T19:51:00.000-08:002008-11-02T19:51:00.000-08:00Where was the rest of the Council members? Missing...Where was the rest of the Council members? Missing in action: Councillor Boyko, Dalimonte and Grice!<BR/><BR/>If this was such a big announcement, why did the above members of council not attend? Or maybe they see the writing on the wall and don't want to be involved.<BR/><BR/>Didn't Haldimand County Council all vote in favour of an EA? Answer: YES they did!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-76409545832725713902008-11-02T19:36:00.000-08:002008-11-02T19:36:00.000-08:00Something smells a bit fishy here Donna. Why would...Something smells a bit fishy here Donna. Why would a private comapny spend millions of dollars on this if they even thought that it would not hapeen. The province has already said that they are not in support of this project. Haldimand County Council is pushing this one, that I am clear on. What I am not clear on is this doesn't make any sense to me. We are all missing something very important, I just haven't fiqured out what it is yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-7914737187475263292008-11-02T18:55:00.000-08:002008-11-02T18:55:00.000-08:00Thanks for your comments everyone.I agree with Jan...Thanks for your comments everyone.<BR/><BR/>I agree with Janet, we need to have our say. If we do nothing, nothing will happen.<BR/><BR/>Get involved! This process will be over before you know it and if you have not had your say it will be too late!<BR/><BR/>In my opinion this question should have been put on the "Election Ballot" in November of 2006. When you look at the time frame to what our Haldimand Council members have done, you will see that just a few months after the Municipal Election, they were writing letters in support of an EA into Nuclear in Nanticoke.<BR/><BR/>If this question was on the ballot it would have given a true count as to who supports and who does not support a Nuclear facility in Haldimand. <BR/><BR/>But maybe our Council didn't want to hear what we had to say!Donna Pitcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01938591277088755092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-87526019628730147372008-11-02T18:37:00.000-08:002008-11-02T18:37:00.000-08:00I think it can make a difference what the resident...I think it can make a difference what the residents have to say....so it is time to stand up and be heard. The residents have not been consulted. My request to make a presentation to Haldimand Council about our concerns about a nuclear plant at Nanticoke, was refused three times this summer....they stated it was 'premature' to discuss the issue. Well it is no longer premature...the province was even taken by surprise here. It is unbelievable that 7 council members in Haldimand can think they can make a decision for all of us without consulting us. Remember..they work for us! We will be heard. It is time to write letters, write the papers, make presentations to the community,attend the Energy Symposium on November 20th, write your elected officials (the provincial Energy Minister and Environment Minister etc...no need to waste your time on the local officials as they do not want to listen). This is too important to let it go...it will impact the environment of Haldimand and Norfolk as well as Lake Erie and the Grand River watershed...forever. It may be outside the Haldimand tract...but it is still of great concern to our First Nations People as well...they must also be consulted.We are all on the same side..the side of protecting the environment. We are many...and using Obama's words....I say..."Can we stop it? Yes we can!!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-73389573731432760272008-11-02T17:50:00.000-08:002008-11-02T17:50:00.000-08:00I don't believe for a moment that anything the res...I don't believe for a moment that anything the residents have to say will make a difference. We are having Nuclear shoved down our throats and there is nothing you or I can do. Thanks to our bunch of looser council members who put us in this position. I for one will not be voting for Sloat again. He is the biggest looser around. I can't believe that he was the one doing all the introducing as he was the one running the show. Well as far as I am concerned our council and especially Sloat has sold us down the river!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-32643351528600096552008-11-02T17:46:00.000-08:002008-11-02T17:46:00.000-08:00The above poster is talking about the Kitchen repo...The above poster is talking about the Kitchen report.<BR/><BR/>Donna can you get a hold of this report and post it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-58550835881783671742008-11-02T15:32:00.000-08:002008-11-02T15:32:00.000-08:00A 3 km buffer? Tell that to the folks in and arou...A 3 km buffer? Tell that to the folks in and around Chernobyl.<BR/><BR/>Not sure what all your gobblety-gook about "saves us 15% means...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-68178447540883794002008-11-02T14:33:00.000-08:002008-11-02T14:33:00.000-08:00Best thing that "COULD" happen in Haldimand. Nant...Best thing that "COULD" happen in Haldimand. Nanticoke is out of the Haldimand Tract. The industrial parcel is protected by a 3km buffer. It "COULD" generate over a thousand jobs, at an average wage of $80,000 if thing move forward, "NO GUARENTEES!" Taxation if I read the Kitchen report correctly is around 4.5million, which saves us 15%, 1% raise in taxes generating $400,000 (give or take). The whole process will be entirely open as an EA and Council assures. <BR/>Let's stop the "fear mongering" the process will be open. What isn't is, if nuclear will actually happen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-54771407857419182662008-11-02T08:44:00.000-08:002008-11-02T08:44:00.000-08:00Well isn't this all just lovely. Not!Well isn't this all just lovely. Not!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6169541274837140117.post-46662953691254603192008-11-02T08:39:00.000-08:002008-11-02T08:39:00.000-08:00Thanks Donna for your post. If gives more incite t...Thanks Donna for your post. If gives more incite to what is happening. Please keep up the good work and keep us informed of what is going on.<BR/><BR/>I do wonder why it was Sloat that seemed to be the one in charge of this news conference. Was this not put on by Bruce Power?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com