[cdn-nucl-l] National panel recommends ADDING 9,200 MW of nuclear in Ontario

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

Posted in the Toronto Star on June 22, 2006 and at:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Artic
le_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1150927811490

Recommendation:  Maintaining the current reactor fleet, and adding 9,200 MW
of new nuclear capacity in Ontario by 2050, preventing 45 Megatonnes of CO2
emission per year. 

See the report from the National Round Table on the Environment and the
Economy at:
www.nrtee-trnee.ca
under "New Report" - the 32 page PDF is available for download at the bottom
of the page.

Adam

----------------

Panel supports nuclear future
National body calls on Ontario to boost output Touted as key part of plan to
address

climate change
Jun. 22, 2006. 01:00 AM
PETER CALAMAI
SCIENCE REPORTER

OTTAWA-Ontario should expand nuclear power by more than 50 per cent over the
next four decades as a key part of a made-in-Canada climate change plan, a
blue-ribbon national advisory group urged yesterday.

The recommendation would add more than 9,000 megawatts of electricity
generation to Ontario's current installed capacity of 14,000 megawatts. 

By contrast, the energy blueprint unveiled last week by the McGuinty
government froze total nuclear generation in the province at 14,000
megawatts until 2025, with one or two new reactors added solely to replace
old units that shut down. 

Glen Murray, chairman of the National Round Table on the Environment and the
Economy, said more nuclear was necessary to meet a goal of slashing Canada's
energy-related greenhouse gas emissions to 40 per cent of current levels by
2050.

This could be done despite a doubling of both Canada's population and
economic activity, including massive increases in energy exports, mainly
from Alberta's oil sands. 

"We see nuclear power as a bridge. Some of our members didn't like the idea
of more nuclear fuel waste but if we don't solve the climate change problem,
a lot of other issues like that become inconsequential," he told the Toronto
Star.

Murray said federal Environment Minister Rona Ambrose has already welcomed
the group's proposed approach to reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and
other man-made greenhouse gases, the chief cause of global warming over the
last half-century.

"We're singing to the choir when we talk with her," Murray told a news
conference here that released the group's report. 

The key recommendations include:

Capturing all the carbon dioxide now spewed out from coal-fired power
stations in Alberta and Saskatchewan and pumping it into underground storage
by 2040.

Doing the same thing with the massive carbon dioxide emissions from gas and
oil production, including the tar sands. But capturing only 30 per cent by
2030, rising to 60 per cent by 2050.

Making large gains in energy efficiency in industry, transportation and both
residential and commercial buildings.

Switching to so-called "clean coal" technology for electricity, emphasizing
co-generation plants (which can recycle steam for power and heat) and
quadrupling wind power installations. 

Set up in 1994, the independent Round Table includes 14 members appointed by
the federal cabinet from the top ranks of business, labour, environmental
groups, municipalities and aboriginal communities. It produced several
reports about climate change at the request of the previous Liberal federal
government. 

In an interview, Murray said the extra nuclear power in Ontario could be
added in three ways - new nuclear reactors, restarting mothballed reactors
and upgrading existing power stations as they are replaced.

If the 9,000 megawatts of additional nuclear power came entirely from new
installations, it would require 17 more reactors like those at the Pickering
nuclear power plant near Toronto. The largest Candu reactors on the drawing
boards are 1,000 megawatts, so nine of those would be required to meet the
target.

Asked about the difference between the Ontario government's plan and the
round table's proposal, Murray said his group was taking a longer-term view
of Canada's need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It did not look into
meeting Kyoto targets by 2012.

"This is a huge issue. There isn't yet an understanding among most people of
the seriousness of the challenge we're facing on this planet," he said.

Having sketched out what can be done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the
advisory group is now investigating how the reductions can be accomplished. 

Murray dodged questions about a carbon tax or legislated limits on
emissions.

"This is not a plan. It's a scenario on which a plan can be built," he said.

Murray also said the round table had not looked at environmental fallout
from expanded oil sands operations beyond controlling greenhouse gases. 

At present, producing a barrel of synthetic oil from the tar sands uses
between three and five barrels of water. Yet Alberta is facing major water
shortages, partly caused by climate change.