Nuclear Still An Option In Ontario

TORONTO, ON -- - New station possible: Premier Ontario's public power generator could build another nuclear station after the restart of Pickering, Premier Ernie Eves said yesterday.

"I wouldn't rule out any possibility, from wind power to additional nuclear power, and that includes a lot of things in between," Eves said.

The premier's comments come one week after Energy Minister John Baird said Ontario Power Generation is out of the business of building new nuclear plants.

Ontario has frequently had to rely on imported power to keep pace with record consumption levels over the past year. Adding to the concerns, is a recent report by the Independent Electricity Market Operator that almost half of Ontario's generating capacity will have to be replaced in the next 15 years.

Eves said he plans to speak with newly-elected Quebec Premier Jean Charest about plugging into more of his province's hydro as well as generators in Manitoba.

Eves cited Bruce Power, a private power company which leases the provincially-owned nuclear generating station in Bruce County, as an example of a way the province could develop new sources of hydro.

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"I think ... a public-private partnership is possible in that regard," Eves said.

The OPG's Pickering A generating station is slated to begin churning out power in June after several delays and cost overruns expected to push the project's price tag near $2.5 billion.

Eves announced plans to investigate the nuclear plant's problems five months ago, but said yesterday the government still hasn't found a qualified expert to do the job.

Speaking at an Ontario Energy Association breakfast meeting yesterday, Baird announced plans to revamp the Ontario Energy Board and to look at the controversial retroactive rate hikes that were recently allowed by the agency.

Baird also named Howard Wetston, vice-chairman of the Ontario Securities Commission, to head up the board.