Nuclear has a place in Ontario energy mix

ONTARIO - Ontario has long relied on nuclear energy to run our homes, hospitals and industries 24/7. Just recently, the provincial government reiterated it will continue to do so. That's the right call.

For 48 years, Canada's nuclear industry has achieved an unparalleled record of safe, reliable and economic power generation in three provinces. Nuclear energy is responsible for 15 per cent of Canada's electricity production and for over 55 per cent of Ontario's alone.

Nuclear goes well beyond electricity generation. It is also the basis for vital cancer-fighting medical technologies, diagnosis and treatment, medical sterilization and food irradiation, desalination of water and other emerging technologies.

Nuclear is clean. As Canada and the global community work to address the challenges of climate change, nuclear energy provides a clean energy solution for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. A recent Ernst and Young report states that nuclear energy has become a viable option within the global energy industry and looks to stay the course. This worldwide resurgence of nuclear energy is mainly due to the demand for a more secure energy supply and zero-emissions power. As of February 1, there were 54 nuclear reactors under construction, another 148 being planned and 342 being proposed around the world.

Nuclear energy can enable renewable technologies when, for example wind turbines are not operating in hot, humid weather conditions. Imagine the possibilities with complementary energy sources using nuclear's "24-hour base load power" advantage.

The price of nuclear energy is affordable. When all costs are considered over the long-term, Canadians pay the same or less for electricity from nuclear power compared with all other forms of electricity. As Ontario emerges from an economic downturn, the nuclear industry will create jobs.

Currently, Canada's nuclear sector is a $6.6 billion per year industry generating $1.5 billion in federal and provincial revenues from taxes, providing 71,000 jobs. It represents 150 firms and $1.2 billion per year in exports. The Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters released a report in July 2010 stating the refurbishment of nuclear facilities at Bruce and Darlington will create 25,000 jobs in the next decade, injecting $5 billion annually into Ontario's economy.

Ontario residents have been living with nuclear power since 1962 and know that replacing it with renewables is not the answer, unlike the picture painted by Greenpeace, the Pembina Institute and the World Wildlife Fund in their summer report, Renewable is Doable.

We live in a country that is rich in resources and technology, and rather than advocating the elimination of one energy source altogether, we should work together and embrace the mix that includes clean, reliable and affordable nuclear power. By committing to nuclear, the province of Ontario is committing to a renewable, environmentally sustainable and economically viable means of energy.