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No transparency in Ontario Energy Board’s multi-billion-dollar plan to overhaul six nuclear reactors

secret-dealsflag-canadaOntario Energy Board won’t probe Bruce nuclear overhaul Opposition, Ontario Clean Air Alliance want to see public scrutiny of the multi-billion-dollar plan to overhaul six reactors at the Bruce nuclear generating station. By:  The Star, Business reporter,  Nov 27 2014

The multi-billion-dollar plan to overhaul six reactors at the Bruce nuclear generating station won’t be submitted to the Ontario Energy Board for scrutiny.

Nuclear critics had called for public examination of the project, expected to cost in the range of $15 billion.

An energy official confirmed Wednesday that energy minister Bob Chiarelli won’t send the issue to the energy board for hearings.

Jack Gibbons of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance said the energy board should examine at the project in public.

“This would be the hugest private-sector deal in Ontario’s history,” he said in an interview.

Peter Tabuns, energy critic for the New Democrats, agreed.

“I don’t think it’s something that should be negotiated behind closed doors and stamped in the premier’s office,” he said.

“The public have to be shown a business case for going down this route.” The contract is currently being negotiated between Bruce Power — the private consortium that operates the station under lease — and the Ontario Power Authority. Bruce Power produces about 30 per cent of Ontario’s electricity.

The reactors are owned by Ontario Power Generation, whose sole shareholder is the province………

Gibbons and Tabuns argued that the public needs to be able to see what’s proposed and ask questions before an agreement is signed.

One question: Whether the deal would push up electricity prices, and by how much.

Another: How badly the power is needed, or whether it could be obtained elsewhere. Currently, Ontario frequently has surplus power, some of which is exported at a loss. At times the province has to pay neighbouring jurisdictions to take it.

Tabuns also said he’d like to question whether having a private company operating the plant is the right thing.

“We have not been well served by private ownership and operation of our hydro system,” he said.

“I think it’s time to question that in the kind of forum that the OEB can provide.” http://www.thestar.com/business/2014/11/27/ontario_energy_board_wont_probe_bruce_nuclear_overhaul.html

December 1, 2014 - Posted by | Canada, secrets,lies and civil liberties

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