[cdn-nucl-l] Canada's Climate Change and Clean Air Goals Need Nuclear Energy

["Adam McLean" <adam.mclean@utoronto.ca>]

Posted on Canada Newswire on March 11, 2002 and at:
http://library.northernlight.com/FF20020311410000020.html?cb=0&dx=1006&s
c=0#doc

Adam

Canada's Climate Change and Clean Air Goals Need Nuclear Energy

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Story Filed: Monday, March 11, 2002 6:41 PM EST 

OTTAWA, Mar 11, 2002 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- "If Canada is to
achieve its Climate Change and clean air goals, nuclear energy is
absolutely essential," says Bill Clarke, President and CEO of the
Canadian Nuclear Association. 

"Whether Canada ratifies the Kyoto Protocol in 2002 or not, nuclear
energy will continue to play a major role in reducing greenhouse gases
and ensuring that reliable and cost effective electricity is provided to
Canadians without polluting the air." 

Nuclear energy provides clean electricity and generated enough
electricity in 2001 for 6 million Canadian homes for a full year.
Nuclear power plants emit essentially no gases nor pollutants. The
nuclear reaction that generates the electricity takes place entirely
within the uranium fuel deep inside the reactor, which is completely
surrounded by robust concrete structures. There is no combustion and,
therefore, no greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike other forms of energy,
the small amount of fuel waste generated is not released to the
environment and is safely and responsibly managed on site. 

By way of example, if the electricity produced by Canada's nuclear power
plants were instead generated by fossil fuels there would be an
additional 500,000 tonnes of sulphur oxides and 225, 000 tonnes of
nitrous oxides emitted into our atmosphere each year. 

Nuclear energy is already part of Canada's Energy Solution, providing
over 40 % of Ontario's power. The six CANDU nuclear power reactors
currently programmed for refurbishment by Ontario Power Generation and
Bruce Power will add approximately another 3,600 megawatts of
emission-free electricity to Ontario's grid and provide electricity for
approximately 2 million homes for a year. 

Canada does not have to forsake economic growth to do its fair share in
reducing pollution and averting climate change, but it does have to
continue to invest in clean energy and renewable technologies. For over
40 years, nuclear energy has provided reliable sources of electricity in
Canada not to mention 60 % of the world supply of nuclear medicine
products for cancer and radiation therapies. 

As the World Energy Council noted in its 2002 Annual Statement: "For
base- load electricity generation, the most effective means currently
available to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are nuclear power and
hydroelectric power. Countries with the highest proportion of nuclear
and/or hydropower have the lowest CO2 emissions per kWh. Nuclear energy
and large hydro offer advantages in terms of reducing global warming,
cost stability and high capacity factors that make them compatible with
the goals of sustainable development for tomorrow's world". 

VIEW ADDITIONAL COMPANY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
http://www.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/inquiry.cgi?OKEY=56638 

CONTACT:          For further information: Claudia Lemieux, Director,
Communications and
                  Media Relations, Canadian Nuclear Association, Tel.:
(613) 237-9082, Fax:
                  (613) 237-0989, E-mail: lemieuxc(at)cna.ca
News release via Canada NewsWire, Toronto 416-863-9350 

Copyright (C) 2002 CNW, All rights reserved 


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