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www.coalitionfornuclearenergy.com Nuclear
revival fuels uranium rush; Prospectors snap up 20% of
National
Post Thu
Byline: John
Greenwood The global scramble
for uranium resources has sparked an unprecedented staking rush in
Ground zero for
uranium mining in In fact, the lineups
of prospectors and company representatives that form daily at government staking
offices became so long and unruly that authorities were forced to abandon the
first-come, first-served method in favour of a lottery
system. "We were having
challenges keeping the line in order," said George Patterson, executive director
of the mining division of
In recent decades,
Uranium, used
primarily as fuel for nuclear power generation, is fairly common worldwide, but
Most of the
territory in the traditional uranium mining region, the
before. Players have even laid
claim to the mineral rights under the frigid waters of
Indeed, the
competition for potential uranium properties has become so intense that
companies are sending out exploration teams even further afield, to the The record staking
activity in
Since 2003, prices
have moved up more than tenfold, with much of the rise taking place in the past
six months. Since the start of 2007, uranium has shot up about
57%. The uranium boom is
being driven by a global resurgence in nuclear generation. After falling out of
favour in the 1980s and 1990s, the sector is enjoying
a renaissance as governments around the world announce the construction of new
plants. "We've had inquiries
from --------------------------------- 500
more hires planned at Bruce Power; impact could put a crunch on
accommodations Shoreline
Beacon Byline: BY PAT
HALPIN Bruce Power CEO
Duncan Hawthorne told
"We all know that
once it gets to summer time a lot of the vacation cottages are occupied,"
"None of the
contractors are raising it as a major issue right now but it's kind of obvious
that there aren't many places around that are
vacant." The housing pressure
is being felt as far as Walkerton. "So from a planning
point of view we should work on the basis that Bruce Power will be the site of
large numbers of contract staff at least until 2011,"
Kincardine mayor Larry Kraemer said
that growth means opportunity "we haven't had since the 1970's and maybe never
before." "I hope our planning
staff will help us with some of these out of the box ideas that will help us
capitalize" on the growth, he said. "There's a whole bunch of (planning and
infrastructure) issues that allow us to play into the hand that's being
developed as opposed to not seizing the
opportunities. "This area has the
opportunity to be on the cutting edge of nuclear applications" such as medical
and energy technology, Kraemer said. "At some point I'll be back to ask how you feel about converting some vehicles to hydrogen," he said, calling it "the fuel of the future." -------------------------------------------- Guidelines
set for nuclear study Metroland -
Thu
Byline: By Keith Gilligan
kgilligan@durhamregion.com The Canadian Nuclear
Safety Commission has ruled OPG must conduct a screening level EA for the
refurbishment of the four 'B' side reactors. OPG is preparing a business case
for the refurbishment, and the EA is one aspect of
it. The company is
considering whether Units If the CNSC rules
against the refurbishment, the units would shut down in 10 to 15
years. "It says for us, it
provides us with a framework, a scope with what to do," OPG spokesman John Earl
states of the guidelines set out by the CNSC. We welcome
this." "It provides us with
a scoping of what's required in the EA process," he
adds. In it's Record of
Proceedings, including Reasons for Decision, "CNSC staff stated in its
submissions that it is not aware at this time of any potentially significant
environmental effects or public concern associated with this project which, in
its opinion, would warrant having the project referred to a mediator or review
panel." Mr. Earl says the
CNSC ruling "lays out all the things we have to look at while preparing a
business case. What kinds of detail, what do they want us to do to prepare the
EA, what parameters? Now we have the scope, the framework to complete it to
their satisfaction." Among the items that
have to be examined are climate change, seismic activity, population growth in
the GTA, and the possibility of a "catastrophic accident," which could be caused
by a technical failure, a terrorist attack or a large airplane crashing into the
plant. The CNSC decision
noted several groups "disagreed with CNSC staff's recommendation and requested
that the Commission refer the project to a review panel, based on the level of
public concern." Commission members
asked CNSC staff about the public concern and were told any issues would be
addressed in the EA. Among the mandatory
factors that have to be addressed in an EA are the environmental effects of the
projects, including the effects a malfunction or accidents could have, and any
measures that could mitigate any significant environmental
effects. The Record of
Proceedings noted, "OPG reported that it considered that the potential
environmental effects of the project could be established with a high degree of
certainty since the environmental impacts of operating Pickering 'B' have been
well established." Commission members
agreed with a CNSC staff recommendation that the purpose of the project be
considered. Mr. Earl says the
company has "been working on the business case for some time. The project will
be viewed in as many ways as possible. Does this opportunity, this project, make
good sense?" OPG is aiming for early 2008 to have the business case completed. "It's not time driven. It will be the best business case we can put forward," Mr. Earl noted. ------------------------------------------------------ Bruce A
refurbishment good value for public; Says Auditor General of $4.25 billion
refurbishment Shoreline
Beacon Byline: BY
The Ontario Auditor
General confirmed last week that the Bruce A $4.25
billion refurbishment is worth the risk to
ratepayers. Energy Minister
Dwight Duncan released his report last week, outlining how the review of the
2005 transfer in operating costs and overrun risks from the ratepayer, revealed
the deal was a good value for the public. "The auditor's
review confirms this conclusion,"
The report found the
province had considered and addressed the risks and issues and had all the
information and expertise needed to negotiate the massive
deal. "It was such a big
deal, people want to ensure transparency," said Bruce Power President and CEO
Duncan Hawthorne. "It's one of the largest power deals to date. So it's just
good governance to do these types of things." The terms of the
agreement were subject to review by financial, legal and technical advisors and
approved by the
The report also
noted that external financial advisors found Bruce Power's rate of return on its
investment was acceptable (6.1 cents per kilowatt hour from the agreed 6.3 cents
due to lower fuel costs), along with the negotiations needed to get to that
point. "It vindicates the
process," he said. As part of the
agreement, Bruce Power is investing $4.25 billion to restart Bruce A Units 1 and
2, refurbish Unit 3 and replace steam generators in Unit
4. Copies of the report are available at energy.gov.on.ca ------------------------------------------------- Agence
Mitsubishi
Development Pty Ltd., fully owned by Mitsubishi, and
The
Mitsubishi will
invest about 11 million Canadian dollars (9.6 million
"Global uranium
demand is expected to grow strongly with the increase in the number of global
nuclear reactors, which are considered environmentally friendly," the company
said in a statement. "The project aims
for a stable supply of uranium product for nuclear power generators and thus
contributes to the prevention of further global
warming." The
Resource-poor
------------------------------------------------------------------- Bruce
Power gets national exposure with Blue Jays
agreement Shoreline
Beacon Bruce Power has made
a deal with one of
On April 5, Bruce
Power announced a new multi-year partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays that
will see the company receive national rights to all Blue Jays and Rogers Centre
marks and exposure in Blue Jays broadcasts with high profile signage at the
stadium. "We're well known in
this area, but not elsewhere," said Bruce Power President and CEO, Duncan
Hawthorne. "It's a great chance for marketing
exposure." Bruce Power has also
agreed to the supply of electrical power at the Rogers Centre, earning the
rights to use the 'Rogers Centre, powered by Bruce Power'
designation. As an added bonus to
the agreement, Blue Jays fans at the Rogers Centre and throughout the province
will see new stadium promotions this season as well as the 'Jays on the Road
Presented by Bruce Power' program, an interactive baseball
tour which will visit communities in
"Bruce Power is
proud to be partnering with one of
"The opportunity to
provide excitement and added value to Blue Jays fans right across
"The Blue Jays are
proud to welcome industry leader Bruce Power to our family of Corporate
Partners," Paul Godfrey, president and CEO of the Blue Jays, said in a press
release. "The Blue Jays are truly
The Jays on the Road
Presented by Bruce Power event will consist of a batting area and a speed pitch
area for kids. "We believe it will
happen right through the heart of the summer in the June, July and August
months," said Steve Cannon, manager of investor and media relations. "We hope to
confirm to have them come to the Bruce Power beach party in Port
Elgin." The party is scheduled for July 21 ----------------------------------------------- |