Bruce Power Restart Looking Good

TORONTO -- - Bruce Power, the nuclear electricity producer, said federal regulators had accepted the environmental assessment for two of its nuclear reactors, and one could start operating in April.

Bruce Power, a 6,140 megawatt nuclear station on Lake Huron, northwest of Toronto, said in a statement that it expected crews will soon be allowed to refuel one of the reactors, a task that takes about 45 days to complete.

The two reactors would produce some 1,500 megawatts of power, and the restart would ease supply concerns during the peak summer season.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission said in a separate statement that the proposed restart of two units at the power plant was "not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects."

The announcement comes weeks after regulators issued a strongly worded statement that voiced "grave concern" about the failure of Bruce Power to resolve ownership difficulties.

The federal regulator said in December it would not allow Bruce Power to refuel unless ownership issues were settled.

Late that month British Energy, which owned 82 per cent of Bruce Power, said it would sell its stake to a consortium led by Cameco Corp., the world's biggest uranium producer, for up to CAN$770 million (US$494 million). Bruce Power is scheduled to appear before the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission on Jan. 16 and again on Feb. 26 for licensing hearings regarding the restart project.