Province committed to new nuclear at Darlington: energy minister

newsdurhamregion.com
March 3, 2010
Reka Szekely
 

Province committed to new nuclear at Darlington: energy minister
 

AJAX -- The future of new build at the Darlington nuclear plant was the main concern raised by Durham leaders when Ontario's new energy and infrastructure minister spoke at a breakfast event Monday. 

Brad Duguid, who recently took on the job previously held by George Smitherman, addressed the issue in front of a crowd of business and political leaders at a breakfast organized by the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance, held at the Ajax Convention Centre.

"Just in case there's any doubt at all, I want to assure you we're still very committed to building two new nuclear units in Darlington," said Mr. Duguid.

Last summer, Mr. Smitherman announced the Province was suspending the procurement process for the new reactors because of concerns over cost and the ownership of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, the manufacturers of the CANDU reactors currently used in Pickering and Darlington and the only company deemed by the government to have submitted a fully compliant bid. AECL is a crown corporation, but the federal government is considering privatizing portions of the company.

Mr. Duguid said he did not have an announcement Monday about when the process to build the new reactors would resume.

"We just want to make sure we're getting the best possible deal for the people of Ontario."

In response to questions, Mr. Duguid said the Province wants the federal government to backstop AECL so that Ontario isn't assuming all the risk. He was quick to clarify he wasn't speaking of safety risk.

Risks can include increased costs to the project, additional time for construction and technology not working as expected.

Even with the procurement process currently in limbo, Mr. Duguid reiterated the Province intends to move forward with new nuclear build.

"There is no indecisiveness, if there was, we wouldn't have enacted the procurement process in the first place," he said.

In his speech, Mr. Duguid also commended Durham officials for not politicizing the recent decision to refurbish reactors at the Darlington nuclear plant and to decommission the Pickering nuclear plant in 10 years. Instead, he said, local officials provided support and important advice.

"Thank you for doing what is in the best interest of Ontarians ... it takes a certain amount of courage to do that."

Following Mr. Duguid's speech, Regional Chairman Roger Anderson said the minister's remarks on new build were reassuring.

"It's obvious that the minister and the government are committed to moving forward," said Mr. Anderson, adding the next step is for the federal government to come on board by supporting AECL.

Mr. Anderson did caution, however, that timing would be a factor.

"Once Pickering closes, they're going to need a replacement and it's going to take 10 years to build this. If not, the Province is going to have an energy problem bigger than anything we've seen before."

In addition to nuclear, Mr. Duguid discussed what he called the bold leadership of Premier Dalton McGuinty in planning for a greener future, frequently making references to sports and the Olympics.

"We're in the midst of a very important race, the race to build a low-carbon economy."

Mr. Duguid also spoke about the Green Energy Act and the decision to close Ontario's coal-fired plants, calling it the single biggest carbon-reduction plan in North America.

He also discussed the recently announced deal with Samsung which will see the Korean company build wind and solar farms in Ontario and four manufacturing plants for wind and solar equipment.

"That agreement means a $7-billion investment in renewable energy in Ontario," he said.

It also means 16,000 jobs in the province, 4,000 of which are projected to be permanent.

The Samsung deal will help create a critical mass in Ontario and encourage other green businesses, said Mr. Duguid, adding the hope is Ontario will be able to pounce on green energy opportunities south of the border as well.

"We want to build a reputation as a go-to jurisdiction for green energy needs."