Concerns about potential impacts to an aquifer have resulted in a search for a new site for a nuclear power generation project on the Peace River. The Grimshaw Gravels aquifer currently supplies water to farmers, local ranchers, and approximately 30,000 people. Bruce Power, based in Ontario, filed an application in March 2008 with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to prepare a site for construction of reactors in the Peace Country on Lake Cardinal near Peace River. Bruce Power has been considering two sites to build a $10 billion nuclear plant with two to four reactors near Peace River to supply up to 4000 megawatts (MW) to power the oil sands industry and local communities (Canadian Press 2008).

The concerns over potential impacts to the aquifer has been left Bruce Power looking for another site also on the Peace River about 30 kilometres north of the town of Peace River. This second site, however, may also be within the aquifer system (Brooymans 2009; Cryderman 2009). Geological studies in the environmental impact statement will determine whether the second site will also risk the aquifer (Canadian Press 2008).

As part of the drive to fuel oil sands development, nuclear power has been touted as a clean energy source for northern Alberta. Nuclear power has recently gained more recognition as a "green" source of electricity because it will not produce greenhouse gases. However, many cite other impacts to water, land, and public health as well as concerns regarding the radioactive waste generated and use of plutonium and uranium, the sources of nuclear energy.

Nuclear power plants require significant amounts of water to produce steam, which powers the turbines for electricity, and to cool the steam back to water, which is re-cycled through to steam again. Cooling water is the biggest use of water in thermoelectric generation projects. Bruce Power anticipates its total water use for a 4000 MW plant would be approximately 6 cubic metres per second (m³/s) (Bruce Power Alberta 2008). According to Bruce Power, this amount equals 0.3% of annual river flow (1800 m³/s) and 0.9% (650 m³/s) during winter low flows. While these figures indicate withdrawal amounts, it is unclear how much water would be consumed in the process.

According to Bruce Power, the Peace River's flow would easily meet the needs of the plant without impacting the river, using only 0.3% of the average annual flow (1800 m³/s) and 0.9% of the average winter low flow (650 m³/s) at the Town of Peace River. The environmental impact assessment will determine the impact of these withdrawals on the river.

While the withdrawals might be relatively small and have only a small impact on the river, the potential for contamination of the river (i.e., should a leakage occur) remains. The release of warmer cooling water back to the river can also affect fish populations that are sensitive to water temperature changes (NRCan 2005). Rather than return water immediately back to the river, Bruce Power is considering either construction of two cooling towers where the heat from the water could be released to the air rather than to water, or construction of a cooling pond to satisfy the plant's demand for water. This cooling pond would take up 2000 to 3000 acres next to the plant.

The application to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is the first regulatory step among many to build and operate a nuclear power generation facility in Canada. As Bruce Power seeks approval for its plans, many Albertans are opposed to nuclear power in Alberta. To determine Alberta's overall stance on nuclear power, the Government of Alberta established a panel in April 2008 to evaluate environmental, health and safety issues and waste management of nuclear energy; nuclear energy compared to other electricity generation technologies; current and future nuclear power generation being used in Canada and around the world; and Alberta's future electricity needs. The panel is also looking at social issues and concerns related to nuclear energy (Government of Alberta 2008).

Bruce Power is an Ontario-based partnership of TransCanada Corporation of Calgary, Cameco Corporation of Saskatoon, and BPC Generation Infrastructure Trust, a trust established by the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System.

Check out the Pembina Institute's new report, Greening the Grid: Powering Alberta's Future with Renewable Energy (2009), explaining how Alberta can meet its electricity demands without new coal and nuclear power plants.

Sources

Brooymans, Hanneke. January 8, 2009. Bruce Power withdraws nuclear power plant application: considers a second site near Peace River. Edmonton Journal.

Bruce Power Alberta. 2008. Fact Sheet 5: Water Use.

Cryderman, Kelly. January 8, 2009. Bruce Power withdraws nuclear power plant Application. Calgary Herald.

Government of Alberta. April 23, 2008. Expert panel to develop comprehensive research paper on nuclear power. News Release.

The Canadian Press. Protesters fighting proposed nuke plan bring petition to Alberta legislature. Oilweek: Canada's Oil & Gas Authority.

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). 2005. Water issues and energy.

Polczer, Shaun. August 27, 2007. Calgary company applies to build nuclear power plant. Calgary Herald.