New partnership to advise government on nuclear industry

"As the world moves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many countries including Canada are looking to nuclear power as a source of clean, reliable electricity," Stewart said. "The expansion of the nuclear industry around the world offers an opportunity for Saskatchewan to add value to our raw uranium resources, grow our economy, create new jobs and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions."

Led by Dr. Richard Florizone, a nuclear physicist and Vice President of Finance at the University of Saskatchewan, the mandate of the Uranium Development Partnership is to identify, evaluate and make recommendations on Saskatchewan-based, value added opportunities in the uranium industry.

The partnership includes representatives from the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan, urban and rural municipalities, business, labour, First Nations, the environmental community and Canada's nuclear industry.

Notable members include: Armand Laferrere, President and CEO of AREVA Canada; Duncan Hawthorne, President and CEO, Bruce Power Inc.; and Jerry Grandey, the President and CEO of Cameco Corporation. The partnership will also identify challenges to development; investment requirements and timelines; legislative and/or regulatory conditions required to move forward. The partnership will also identify research and development opportunities; labour force requirements; and education and training capacity.

"The Uranium Development Partnership will receive up to $3 million in funding from the Crown Investments Corporation," Cheveldayoff said. "Saskatchewan needs to develop an energy plan for the future, and we will be looking at primarily four sources of energy - nuclear, wind, hydro and clean coal."

The partnership will provide a final report to the government by March 31, 2009. The report will include specific recommendations on value added opportunities best suited to the development of the uranium industry.

The partnership report will be released to the public and form the basis for public consultation.