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Ontario Power Generation’s flawed statement on nuclear power

the province has never completed an integrated power system plan that would establish the need for new generators…… The environmental impact statement submitted by OPG also fails to consider alternatives to a major nuclear project,

Law association argues nuclear approval process flawed – thestar.com, 4 April 11, John Spears Ontario Power Generation has failed to consider alternatives to building new nuclear reactors at Darlington, the Canadian Environmental Law Association argued Monday.That means it hasn’t submitted an adequate environmental impact statement under federal law, the association told a panel reviewing the proposal for new reactors.And that in turn means the panel isn’t in a position to recommend giving the go-ahead for OPG to proceed with preparing the site for construction, Theresa McClenaghan argued.“Inadequate information is before you to recommend proceeding with the project,” McClenaghan told the three panel members.The panel is a joint body of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.

It is conducting an environmental assessment of the proposed reactors.

Provincial policy calls for nuclear power to continue supplying about half of the province’s electricity needs, but McClenaghan said OPG has not demonstrated in its application the need for this level of nuclear power.

In fact, McClenaghan argued, OPG hasn’t even properly demonstrated that the new reactors are needed.

The company, owned by the provincial government, is proceeding on the basis of a directive from the minister of energy, she said.

“A minister’s directive is not a need,” the association’s brief to the panel argues.

McClenaghan argued that the province has never completed an integrated power system plan that would establish the need for new generators……

The environmental impact statement submitted by OPG also fails to consider alternatives to a major nuclear project, McClenaghan argued.

A nuclear facility can have serious impacts on health and the environment, she said……

Law association argues nuclear approval process flawed – thestar.com

April 5, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Canada, Legal