Albertans make quick study of Kincardine’s experience with nuclear power

Troy Patterson, November 21, 2007, Owen Sound Sun Times -- A group of 34 Albertans — mayors, media, municipal councillors, aboriginal leaders, activists, doctors, teachers and business people from Peace River and Grimshaw — were in Kincardine this week to get the local take on nuclear power.

Peace River and Grimshaw are the closest communities to a proposed two-reactor, 2,200-megawatt Energy Alberta project at Lac Cardinal and the private oil and gas company paid for the delegation to travel to Ontario to see how a similar-sized rural community has lived with nuclear power for over 30 years.

“Albertans have never been exposed to the nuclear industry, so they still need to find out more about it” said Kristy Lesh, editor of the Peace River Record-Gazette.

Peace River and Grimshaw, like Kincardine and Port Elgin, are largely rural communities with a strong agricultural presence.

The difference, Lesh said, is the area is “saturated” with oil sands, pulp mill, lumber industry and farming jobs — more than the number of workers available.

Some locals are concerned the problem could escalate with a new plant. Others are concerned locals won’t be eligible for jobs at the plant or the socio-economic impact the nuclear industry could have in their area.

Brian Allen, the mayor of Grimshaw, which is closest to the proposed plant, said there’s still a lot of fear and uncertainty in his community about spent nuclear fuel.

Iris Callioux, Peace River’s mayor, said she went door-to-door in Kincardine, asking workers, workers’ spouses, seniors, aboriginals and others about Bruce Power and got a “very positive” response.

“There was no concern for their personal safety or those at the plant,” she said, adding that some were cautious of spent fuel, but confident a solution is being addressed.

The group toured the Bruce Power Visitor’s Centre and Bruce B reactor site on Monday, capping off their two-day stay in the area on Nov. 18 and 19.

Bruce Power played host to the group at the Best Western Governor’s Inn, with president and chief executive officer Duncan Hawthorne fielding questions and giving a basic rundown on the nuclear industry.

He was asked about local opposition and economic impacts, spent fuel, nuclear technology, property values and safety of residents living close to the plant.

Hawthorne and other Bruce Power executives outlined local support for the plant, their financial and social responsibilities, along with efforts to keep neighbouring communities informed about the industry.

Although people in Kincardine and surrounding area have a knowledge and understanding of nuclear power, it came over generations of public education.

“You must get used to the fact that some people will not be supportive,” Hawthorne said.

Allen said he’ll ask his constituents to approach the proposed nuclear plant with an open mind, to get involved in Energy Alberta’s environmental assessment process and keep informed.

After recently acquiring a site, Energy Alberta hopes to outline the project and begin its environmental assessment (EA), with plans to build in eight to 10 years. The company is in the consultation phase in the communities and has faced many questions and some opposition.

Energy Alberta president Wayne Henuset said awareness and information are key to addressing opposition to the $6.2-billion private project. “We’re going to give (the public) lots of time to digest the EA,” he said.

He also said giving the delegation the opportunity to see a nuclear power project far larger in scale than his company is proposing gives them a perspective to go on.

“Duncan brings a great clarity to what we’re doing,” Henuset said. “It should help the community and those people working with the project.”