[cdn-nucl-l] Canada's plan to host ITER

["Brown, Morgan" <brownmj@aecl.ca>]

http://library.northernlight.com/FD20010607120000039.html?cb=0&dx=1006&sc=0#
doc

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Ambassador Irwin Launches Iter Canada's Plan to Host Multi-Billion Dollar
Fusion Energy Research Centre
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Story Filed: Thursday, June 07, 2001 5:19 PM EST 

TORONTO, Jun 07, 2001 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- In Moscow, Canada's
Ambassador to Russia, Rod Irwin, today launched Canada's bid for Iter, the
$12 billion fusion energy research and development centre. The presentation
to delegations from Russia, Japan, the European Union and the United States
was made in the Presidential Hall of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Ambassador Irwin said: "It is with the greatest pleasure that I now, on
behalf of the Government of Canada, hereby formally announce Canada's offer
of our Clarington site, located just east of Toronto on the northern shore
of Lake Ontario as the location for the implementation of Iter in Canada." 

Iter is an international fusion energy research and development centre,
planned by a unique international collaborative effort with participation
from Russia, the European Union, Japan and Canada. The goal of this centre
is to develop fusion energy as a safe, clean and sustainable energy source
for our planet. The Iter project will be the second largest research and
development project in the world after the International Space Station. In
addition to Canada, other Iter Party governments may also compete to host
the project. 

Dr. Peter Barnard, Chairman and CEO of Iter Canada, the organization leading
Canada's effort to host the Iter project, is delighted. Said Dr. Barnard:
"With the support of the Government of Canada, the endorsement we have
received from the Government of Ontario, and the continuing commitment of
our private sector, labour, university and local community members, we
believe Iter Canada is in a very strong position to win this project for our
country. As host of the Iter project, Canada will become a world centre of
excellence for research and development in the high tech energy field. Iter
will be the largest "brain gain" in Canadian project history." 

Iter will provide access for Canadian industry and universities to
cutting-edge fusion technologies. The project will also inject hundreds of
millions of dollars into the Canadian economy by providing jobs, new
business and technical expertise. 

"The Ontario Government supports and fully endorses the Canadian effort to
have Ontario host the international Iter fusion energy project," said Jim
Wilson, Ontario's Minister of Energy, Science and Technology. "The Ontario
Government is confident that Canada can win this bid, and has indicated a
willingness to commit $10 million per year for 30 years." If Canada's bid
succeeds, this research and development project would bring to Ontario 250
of the brightest minds in nuclear energy science, help diversify Ontario's
high- tech industry and inject billions of dollars into the provincial
economy. 

The Canadian site for Iter is located at Clarington, Ontario at the eastern
end of the Greater Toronto Area. The local community is very supportive.
"The Council of Clarington has been involved in this project since 1995 and
we are now very excited about the prospect of locating such a large- scale,
fusion energy development project in our community," said Clarington Mayor
John Mutton. 

Beyond Clarington itself, support for the project is very strong. "As a
resident of the region surrounding Clarington, I am excited about the
prospect of hosting the Iter project in our community," said Gary Polonsky,
President of Durham College and Chairman of the Iter Community Council, a
grass-roots organization representing the interests of all communities
around the site. "The potential impact and benefits are tremendous, and it
is critical we participate in the process of bringing this project to our
region." The Durham College campus will house the Ontario Institute of
Technology, a proposed new university that will serve the area and offer a
degree program in nuclear technology and safety. 

With the presentation of Iter Canada's Plan in Moscow, Canadian participants
will begin negotiations with the other Iter Party delegations. These
negotiations are scheduled to be completed next year with the finalization
of an international treaty for building the project and funding the 20-year
research and development program. 

Fusion energy is created when atoms are pushed together and is inherently
safe and clean because any change in the process will result in an immediate
shutdown and no fuel waste or greenhouse emissions are produced. Research
into fusion has been conducted since the 1920's, and recent advances have
renewed interest in the technology. A US report prepared by a National
Energy Policy Development (NEPD) Group chaired by Vice President Dick
Cheney, said: "The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the
Secretary of Energy to develop next generation technology - including
hydrogen and fusion." 

Iter Canada is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1997 with members
from industry, governments, labour, and universities. It is committed to
locating the world's Iter Fusion Research and Development Centre in Canada. 

CONTACT:          For further information: Laura Ferguson, Director of
Communications,
                  Iter Canada, (416) 203-9409, laura(at)itercanada.com; Or
visit the Iter Canada
                  website at www.itercanada.com
News release via Canada NewsWire, Toronto 416-863-9350