Nuclear power panel named; Will examine environmental, safety concerns; Opposition questions move

Archie McLean, April 24, 2008, The Edmonton Journal -- The province named a four-person panel Wednesday to look at the environmental, safety and other concerns of bringing nuclear power to Alberta.

The panel will be chaired by former federal cabinet minister Harvie Andre and includes experts in nuclear safety and energy economics. But critics wondered why the government is pressing forward on the issue and questioned the need for nuclear power in the province.

Energy Minister Mel Knight said he has asked the panel to address several issues associated with nuclear energy, including safety, toxic waste, health and environmental impacts.

"Albertans have questions with respect to the nuclear issue, full stop. I have the same questions, and indeed what we are going to do is answer those questions for Albertans with this panel," Knight said.

At least one of the panel members appears to have his mind made up about nuclear power. John Luxat is a professor in the engineering and physics department at McMaster University in Hamilton. Before taking a job at the university, he worked for more than 30 years in the nuclear industry, primarily for Ontario Hydro and was president of the Canadian Nuclear Society, a professional organization that provides information and advocacy on nuclear power.

Luxat is an expert on nuclear safety and technology and makes no secret of his support for nuclear power. "I think any particular government has an obligation to look at all possible viable energy sources to meet the needs of their constituents," Luxat said Wednesday from Hamilton. "And nuclear is one of them, and I happen to believe that it's actually a very green one."

Alberta needs to look at nuclear technology in order to power the oilsands without relying on natural gas, he said.

"To burn that in order to extract oil is not really a very efficient way to use that natural gas. And I believe that nuclear power ... reduces significantly the environmental footprint."

Luxat sees his role on the panel as someone who can provide technical information on a contentious issue.

Nuclear energy was thrust onto the political agenda recently because of a proposal from Ontario-based Bruce Power to build and operate a nuclear power generation plant at Lac Cardinal, about 500 kilometers northwest of Edmonton. The government is in the process of drafting its nuclear policy and has promised a forum for public input.

Liberal Leader Kevin Taft said he's deeply skeptical about the province's push to create a nuclear policy.

"It should be an absolute last resort, and I'm concerned that this path is there to pave the way for nuclear power, not to assess whether we should be pursuing it at all," Taft said.

Marlo Raynolds, executive director of the Pembina Institute, also believes the province is jumping the gun on nuclear.

Other panel members include Joseph Doucet and Harrie Vrendenburg, business professors at the U of A and U of C.