Ontario remains committed to nuclear power

TORONTO, ONTARIO - Ontario is asking for the publicÂ’s input on its long-term energy plan, but critics are dismayed the Liberal government remains committed to nuclear power.

The Ministry of Energy has a 10-question online survey to gather feedback on a 20-year supply plan, asking, for example, how much wind and solar power should be in the electricity mix.

Energy Minister Brad Duguid says he doesnÂ’t want to prejudge the consultations, but admits he wants to keep nuclear power providing 50 per cent of OntarioÂ’s electricity.

Duguid says he doesnÂ’t envision a scenario in which the province would lower its nuclear base load.

Greenpeace Canada says Duguid is plowing ahead with nuclear even though costs for two planned new reactors have more than doubled.

Greenpeace says the same Liberal government that excluded its energy plan from an environmental assessment is lowering the bar even further.

Duguid says the government will issue a directive to the Ontario Power Authority by the end of the year, but the long-range energy plan likely wonÂ’t be approved until after next yearÂ’s election.