Following the release of a report from the Nuclear Power Expert Panel, a government-appointed panel that evaluated the merits of potential nuclear power projects in Alberta, the provincial government, as it promised, wants to hear what you have to say about nuclear in Alberta. Until June 1, 2009, you can access the interactive online workbook and survey to share your perspectives on whether or not Alberta should invite nuclear into our nuclear-free province.

Nuclear power has many supporters – not least Bruce Power who hopes to construct a nuclear power plant near the Town of Peace River. Many tout nuclear as the solution to climate change because it emits far fewer greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, than burning fossil fuels. It would also fill the void during the coming energy crunch for energy-intensive oil sands operations when natural gas supplies begin to run out.

On the other side, many argue that nuclear power has considerable liabilities. General health risks, such as cancer, are a prevalent argument against nuclear power. Disposal of hazardous nuclear waste from nuclear power generation is problematic and takes a considerable amount of time to break down. Burying it, the common disposal solution, stores the liability for future generations. Nuclear power generation plants also require huge amounts of water and large cooling ponds to keep the reactors from overheating. That’s why Bruce Power wants their plant built next to the Peace River, one of Alberta’s largest rivers.

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. While much of this water will end up in cooling ponds and ultimately the river, water is lost through evaporation. The release of warmer cooling water back to the river can harm fish populations that are sensitive to water temperature changes (NRCan 2005). There is also the potential for contamination of the river (i.e., should a leakage occur).

Identifying alternatives to nuclear power is also an important part of the discussion. Government can support "distributed generation" of power, where residents and businesses have small electrical generating systems like small solar or small wind to become less dependent on the bigger electricity grid. Rather than putting money on upgrading transmission lines or supporting big power generators, government can put tax dollars towards assisting residents and businesses to become their own electrical generators. The Pembina Institute's report, Greening the Grid: Powering Alberta's Future with Renewable Energy (2009), explains how Alberta can meet its electricity demands without new coal and nuclear power plants.

To voice your concerns or thoughts about nuclear in Alberta, the workbook is a direct way to influence the government as it makes its official decision about nuclear. The workbook poses key questions about topics raised in the Nuclear Power Expert Panel’ report. The public can access the workbook online or by phoning toll-free 310-0000, then 780-427-0265, and submit it by June 1.

The provincial government also promises consultation of the public through meetings with stakeholders and discussion groups with randomly selected Alberta citizens, in addition to this public opinion survey.

Some of the responses to the report:

• Edmonton Journal
• Vue Weekly

Nuclear Free Alberta also has information.