Coalition Touts Nuclear Power’s Benefits

With eyes on the present and future green jobs picture, more than 800 organizations and 1,000 individuals have banded together to champion nuclear power’s low carbon emissions, safety and career opportunities.

The CASEnergy Coalition—short for clean and safe energy—boasts a broad roster of members from labor unions, environmental groups, the business community and beyond. More than 130 IBEW locals from California to New York have signed on to the group.

“Good jobs for IBEW members in any low-carbon setting should be celebrated,” said Todd Newkirk, IBEW Utility Department International Representative. Newkirk touted the environmentally friendly aspects of nuclear power—an industry rich in IBEW membership—which provides nearly 75 percent of all carbon-free electrical generation in the U.S. and offsets nearly as much carbon dioxide as is released from all U.S. passenger cars combined.

CASEnergy is a strong advocate for creating well-paying jobs that can’t be outsourced. The average annual salary for a nuclear engineer is nearly $83,000. There are currently more than 30 new reactors under consideration to be built across the U.S. If constructed, more than 20,000 temporary and permanent jobs could be added to the market—many of them with union representation.

“Union members are the best people to help lead this new age of nuclear energy,” said Cranbury, N.J., Local 94 Business Manager Chip Gerrity. Local 94 is part of the coalition, representing nearly 1,000 members at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station and the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Power Plant. “When it comes down to it, it’s all about the training and the quality of people. The IBEW has both. Our members know the value of a good day’s work and have high standards.”

President Barack Obama’s and Vice President Joe Biden’s New Energy for America plan includes nuclear power as a key piece of greening the power sector. “It is unlikely that we can meet our aggressive climate goals if we eliminate nuclear power as an option,” a statement from the administration said. While safety is a high concern—especially with this year’s 30th anniversary of the Three Mile Island meltdown in the background—the coalition highlights the stringent regulations the industry has adopted.

“Some people still have the misconception that nuclear is a risky business, when it’s actually the most heavily regulated industry anywhere at any given time,” Newkirk said. “That is why it is important to belong to CASEnergy. It is time for the nuclear sector to be seen for what it is, day in and day out—green and clean.”

CASEnergy is headed by former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christine Todd Whitman and a former Greenpeace leader. Studies presented by the coalition have drawn approval and support from diverse members of Congress, AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department President Mark Ayers and IBEW International President Edwin D. Hill.

“We know that nuclear energy is one of several ways to boost economic growth and support good jobs in the construction and operation of new plants,” President Hill said. “The industry will also help ensure that our nation has a diverse and secure supply of energy to meet the needs of the American people well into the future.”

For more information, visit http://www.cleansafeenergy.org/.

Estevan Came Close To Being Preferred Site For Nuclear Power Plant

By Norm Park of The Mercury

According to the Saskatchewan government administration and Bruce Power officials, southeast Saskatchewan and the Estevan area in particular, was nearly selected as a preferred site to build a 1,000 megawatt nuclear powered electrical generating station.
The company released its feasibility study last week and it revealed that Estevan and area scored high on the desirability index but ultimately finished second behind a preferred location somewhere between North Battleford and Prince Albert in northwest Saskatchewan beginning sometime in 2011.

....

Read More from Park HERE and reaction from Business Manager Neil Collins

Sask. Party likes nuclear pitch

IBEW Local 2067 Encouraged by Bruce Power Feasibility Study Findings

For Immediate Release

REGINA Nov 27th - IBEW Local 2067 expressed their strong support for Bruce Power's feasibility study release today identifying a possible role for nuclear in Saskatchewan's energy future. A facility could create 1000 jobs for 60 years and reduce greenhouse gases. The facility would generate thousands of jobs in the construction phase as well not to mention the spin-off jobs throughout our province.

"As Saskatchewan continues to grow and prosper so will our need for clean electricity. Developing a nuclear option for the province is good for jobs, security of supply and our environment" said Neil Collins, IBEW Local 2067 Business Manager.

The report provides the people of Saskatchewan a clear sense of the viability of the nuclear option.

"We support Bruce Power's approach to being open and transparent and look forward to further dialogue with them on the nuclear option" The nuclear option has the opportunity to work in unison with SaskPower’s decision of utilizing clean coal technology on the existing coal fleet to lessen the impact of our environmental footprint" added Collins.

For additional information contact:

Neil Collins
Buisness Manager & Financial Secretary
I.B.E.W Local 2067
(306) 352-1433
http://www.ibew2067.com/

Read the news release from Bruce Power

Read the news release from the Government of Saskatchewan

Sides weigh in on nuclear power in Sask.

Saskatchewan region ID'd as viable spot for nuclear plant

Cassandra Kyle, TheStarPhoenix.comPublished: Thursday, November 27, 2008

Plant would create 2,000 new jobs during construction, plus 1,000 permanent jobs: CEO

Read More From Cassandra HERE

Plans on track for Bruce plant

Joanne Paulson, Saskatchewan News Network; Canwest News ServicePublished: Saturday, November 15, 2008

SASKATOON -- A Saskatchewan nuclear power plant would contribute $4 billion to the economy and generate 20,000 direct jobs during its construction, the president and CEO of Bruce Power told a business crowd in Saskatoon Friday.

Duncan Hawthorne said the plant would cost $8 to $10 billion in total to build, and ultimately employ 1,000 people full-time, many of those university graduates. It would also contribute about $240 million annually to the provincial economy. "We're talking about a very, very significant impact to Saskatchewan's economy."

Bruce Power, the private operator of nuclear plants in Ontario, is on track to complete its feasibility study on nuclear power in Saskatchewan by the end of this year, Hawthorne said. The company announced that it would embark on the study in June.

Read More From Joanne HERE

Ont. government opposes two possible new nuclear reactors from Bruce Power

Allison Jones, THE CANADIAN PRESS 31 October 2008 18:31:00

TORONTO - Proposed plans by Bruce Power to build two new nuclear reactors on the shores of Lake Erie met with strong opposition from the Ontario government Friday.

The only private nuclear generating company in Canada will conduct an environmental assessment as it considers building two reactors at the former Stelco lands in Nanticoke in southwestern Ontario.

Read More from Jones HERE

Report urges Sask., Alta. to go nuclear

Hanneke Brooymans, Canwest News ServicePublished: Thursday, September 11, 2008

EDMONTON -- Nuclear power offers Alberta and Saskatchewan more opportunities than challenges and both provinces should develop the industry, says a new report by the Canada West Foundation intended to push them toward embracing the nuclear option.

Read more from Brooymans HERE

Is Nuclear the Answer to Global Warming?

Cost comparisons of nuclear vs. sustainable,
renewable alternatives should put the final nail in
the nuclear coffin. While the nuclear industry says
new reactors could produce electricity for 6-7 cents
per kWh, these estimates depend on the nuclear
industry continuing to be heavily subsidized by the
taxpayer. When the cost of borrowing money is
factored in, Ontario’s Energy Probe estimates that
subsidies to the AECL total around $75 billion.
Several studies (e.g. reported in New Scientist, and
discussed in Helen Caldicotts new book) have
shown that without these direct and hidden
subsidies, the cost of nuclear would increase threefold
(i.e. 300%) to the consumer. This holds true for
Ontario’s Hydro’s consumers who suffer from a
serious case of “nuclear dependence”, which has
created a public debt of $35 billion.

Read more from Jim Harding, HERE

With two proposed reactors, Saskatchewan joins Ontario in nuclear renaissance

KAREN HOWLETT From Wednesday's Globe and Mail
June 18, 2008 at 3:41 AM EDT

Saskatchewan has joined the nuclear boom.

Two provincial cabinet ministers looked on yesterday as a proposal to put two 1,000-megawatt reactors in the province was unveiled by a privately owned nuclear operator.

Bruce Power said that it is doing a feasibility study examining options for Saskatchewan to meet its growing electricity needs, including building nuclear reactors to replace the province's pollution-spewing coal-fired plants.

The announcement was made a day after the Ontario government said that it will build two new reactors at the Darlington Nuclear Station east of Toronto as part of its ambitious plan to expand and refurbish its existing fleet...........

But sources in the nuclear industry said Saskatchewan is looking at building two 1,000-megawatt reactors. Bruce Power said it plans to work with SaskPower, the province's electricity utility, to evaluate power demand for the province and to examine what transmission capacity is needed to accommodate new nuclear plants. The company intends to complete its study by the end of the year.

"Saskatchewan is becoming the most nuclear-friendly province," said one industry executive.
The province is already the world's No. 1 producer of uranium, a key ingredient for nuclear plants. One of Bruce Power's shareholders is Saskatchewan-based uranium giant Cameco Corp.
SaskPower currently has a capacity to generate 3,056 megawatts, the bulk of which comes from three coal-fired plants.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall began talking about capitalizing on the province's resource riches shortly after he was elected last November.

"We would like to lead," Mr. Wall told The Globe and Mail earlier this year. "It's time for the country to have a new national vision on nuclear energy - and we want to aggressively pursue that."

Read Full Story From KAREN HOWLETT HERE

Nuclear option could be viable

Let's talk nuclear power

Sask. Party driving nuclear option

Battle brews over nuclear power

Power play needs a referee

Bruce Power launches nuclear power feasibility study

Source: Bruce Power

Cassandra Kyle, Saskatchewan News Network; Canwest News ServicePublished: Wednesday, June 18, 2008

SASKATOON -- A feasibility study into the potential for a nuclear energy plant in Saskatchewan will be complete by the end of the year, according to the president and CEO of Bruce Power LP, a nuclear power producer in Ontario.

The announcement of the study on Tuesday is the first step in the company's Saskatchewan 2020 initiative, a plan to find potential plant locations, gauge public opinion, evaluate the customer base and decide whether or not to build the province's first nuclear power plant. Bruce Power's Duncan Hawthorne, who made the announcement in Saskatoon, said the province's growing need for energy and availability of uranium are key factors in the company's decision to look west.

"I think we take the view that the market can support the introduction of a nuclear plant. How much and how that plant enters the market is really a function of the feasibility study," Hawthorne said.

The company is already considering a 4,000 megawatt plant in Alberta's Peace Country, but Bruce Power's feasibility study in Saskatchewan doesn't mean its project in Alberta will not continue.

"People, I think, will read this as an either-or situation and I don't see it as that. When you look at the demand growth potential in both Alberta and Saskatchewan you can easily form the view that you can do both," Hawthorne explained, adding the company has not singled out any potential sites in Saskatchewan.

Read more from Cassandra HERE

SaskPower prefers Lake Diefenbaker for nuclear plant

SaskPower report names site near Elbow as preferred location for nuclear reactor

Angela Hall and James Wood, The Leader-Post and Saskatchewan News NetworkPublished: Thursday, May 08, 2008

REGINA -- The Saskatchewan Party government denied that the Lake Diefenbaker area has been picked as the home of any future nuclear reactor even as a 2007 SaskPower report naming a site near Elbow as the preferred location surfaced Wednesday.

The document, prepared under the previous NDP government, was leaked to CBC a day after Sask. Party Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd said in Calgary the government would welcome development from private sector nuclear company Bruce Power LP, which has recently expressed interest in Saskatchewan.

But Crown Corporations Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said Wednesday the SaskPower document prepared under the NDP was of limited relevance because it was based on the idea of the Crown corporation itself building and operating a nuclear plant, which the government has ruled out.

"It underscores some of the needs of a reactor and some of the places it would make sense in Saskatchewan. But on further examination it's a very preliminary study and I'm told before a reactor would be contemplated an extensive study would have to be done," Cheveldayoff told reporters.

He said there are numerous other potential sites for a nuclear plant in the province besides those mentioned in the report.

The 2007 report, which was prepared by Stantec Consulting, looked at potential candidates for a nuclear power plant either around Lake Diefenbaker or near Lac La Loche.

Read More HERE

Nuclear power splits Elbow residents

Gov't won't pick location

Expert favours Alberta over Sask. for reactor

Power politics

Project a long way off: Boyd

Defusing idea of nuclear power

Sask. may still go nuclear: minister

James Wood, Saskatchewan News NetworkPublished: Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Cheveldayoff, whose responsibilities include SaskPower, was asked in a media scrum about Saskatchewan's nuclear options following an Earth Day question period where the NDP chastised the government for neglecting wind power development.

He said all power options, including nuclear, are in the mix as the utility grapples with growing short and long-term need, which is currently estimated as an additional 800 megawatts in the next 10 to 12 years.

"It's not a matter of what comes first, it's a matter that we need it all. Not only wind and nuclear but we also need hydro generation, we also need to expand the clean-coal project. We're not excluding anything, we're looking at developing all facets of electrical production," he said.

Cheveldayoff cited Saskatchewan's world-leading supply or uranium and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions -- the province has committed to a cut of 32 per cent by 2020 -- as potential factors in favour of nuclear development.

But the large scale of nuclear reactors -- which typically produce a minimum of 1,000 megawatts -- has meant that they have generally been seen as too large for the province. SaskPower's generating capacity is 3,600 megawatts.

There are also huge costs involved in construction of a nuclear plant and significant environmental concerns about nuclear waste.

Read More From Woods HERE

Also

Targets coming, minister says

Wall says he has big plans for nuclear power in Sask.

James Wood, Saskatchewan News NetworkPublished: Friday, March 28, 2008

Premier Brad Wall said Thursday he envisions an ambitious project involving the federal government, SaskPower and one of the uranium companies located in the province that would see Saskatchewan playing a lead role in the research and development of nuclear power.

Speaking to reporters, Wall said he had a lengthy discussion with Stephen Harper when the prime minister was in Saskatchewan this week about a federal investment in the province involving the nuclear industry.

The premier said it's linked to the Conservative government's recent budget commitment of $300 million to the federal Crown Corporation Atomic Energy Canada Ltd., in part for its development of the next generation Canadian nuclear reactor.

Read More from Woods HERE

and

Sask. government to release nuclear power report

Avoiding suggestion of Devine influence

Group says 'no sale' to Wall's uranium carbon credit idea

James Wood, Saskatchewan News NetworkPublished: Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Premier Brad Wall is "dreaming in technicolour" if he thinks Saskatchewan and Canada will -- or should -- receive credit for greenhouse gas reductions because of the province's export of uranium, says a major Canadian environ- mental organization.

Click HERE to review this story.

Pros and cons to be considered

Nuclear Power for Saskatchewan:

James Wood, Saskatchewan News Network; CanWest News ServicePublished: Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Click Here