The province has thrown open the doors to nuclear power despite evidence that more than half of Albertans want it banned altogether.
The province released its long-awaited study on attitudes toward nuclear power Monday. The study, which took place earlier this year, consisted of a statistically significant random survey, workbooks, discussion groups and stakeholder talks, and involved about 5,000 people.
The province has decided to evaluate nuclear power plants on a case-by-case basis, said Energy Minister Mel Knight, which is how it currently evaluates all plant applications.
"We will not invest public dollars in any nuclear proposal," he added, meaning that private companies would have to bear the risk of any such plant. "That would be quite a challenge to someone who wants to start a greenfield operation in the province of Alberta."
The province is not supporting nuclear power, he emphasized, and is not backing nuclear development. But Alberta is living in a carbon-constrained world and can't afford to limit its options. "We need power, and proponents that build [power] in the system in Alberta are welcome to do so."
Knight cited the statistical survey in justifying his decision. That survey of about 1,000 people found that 45 per cent wanted nuclear evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Critics pointed out that about 55 per cent of people in the workbook study (which had about 3,600 responses) opposed any nuclear power projects in the province.
Alberta needs to join Nova Scotia, B.C. and Manitoba in putting a ban on nuclear power plants, said NDP MLA Rachel Notley. "If this government was really interested in listening to Albertans, what they'd do is close the door."
Mixed opinions
The survey suggests Albertans hold diverse views on nuclear power. While more than half of the workbook respondents opposed it, just slightly more than a quarter of the random survey members did, compared to just 13 per cent of the discussion groups.
"Knowledge seems to be a necessary but not sufficient requirement for support," the study found, with support rising as familiarity with nuclear grew.
While many in the random survey were confident that nuclear plants could be safely run, 72 per cent worried that the effect on local health was poorly understood, with about 60 per cent reluctant to risk nuclear due to the consequences of a disaster. About 77 per cent said it was wrong to generate power now if it would leave a legacy of nuclear waste for future generations.
St. Albert MLA Ken Allred discounted the workbook survey. "Those are people who have a definite interest in yes we want it or no we don't," he said, which makes the random survey more reliable. Private industry, not the province, should be the driver for the kinds of power plants we see in Alberta. "If it's not economical, we're not prepared to support it."
Albert Cooper, spokesperson for Bruce Power in Alberta, was pleased with the province's decision. "We've got what we needed, which is an opportunity to present our case in Alberta." The company is considering a 4,000-megawatt nuclear plant in the Peace River region. It had earlier applied to build that plant, but withdrew its application in face of local opposition.
Brenda Brochu of the Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta said she was disappointed, but not surprised, by the government's decision, but was encouraged by the fact that they would not fund nuclear power. "Nuclear power has not been able to become established in any jurisdiction without a subsidy," she said.
Peace River is being asked to accept a nuclear plant that will make far more power than it could ever use, Brochu said. "We're being asked to take health and environmental risks so someone else can benefit." The province should pursue renewable energy instead, she said.
The full report is available at www.energy.alberta.ca.
