Public info sessions seek input into potential future for Alberta nuclear energy

Workers assemble a new building at the Darlington nuclear facility in Courtice, Ont., on Oct. 30, 2014. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press)

Alberta is seeking feedback from residents and stakeholders on how to proceed with establishing a “nuclear energy roadmap” via online information sessions this week and next year.

The Nuclear Energy Engagement and Advisory Panel, led by MLA and Parliamentary Secretary for Affordability and Utilities Chantelle de Jonge, held a public information session on Monday morning and plans to hold another one on Wednesday evening. People interested in attending them can register online.

The panel fielded questions on Monday about emergency plans, potential impact on local property values, water use and its impact on rivers, and management of the waste produced and funding for its disposal.

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De Jonge also said much discussion would need to occur if the province moves forward with nuclear energy in terms of regulation, legislation and environmental concerns, and on how it would fit into Alberta’s deregulated energy market.

“As Alberta goes on this journey, and if we decide that nuclear is going to be part of our future energy mix, then certainly there will have to be a lot of discussions and work with the CNSC (Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission) to see how that works with their regulatory structure,” de Jonge said. “And here in the province, we have the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC, which) approves and satisfies our grid operators, the ISOs (Independent System Operators), connections, reliability and operating requirements.”

The province said in a media release on Friday that feedback from the sessions that include the public, municipalities and industry will be analyzed and used for the panel’s final report, which is due at the end of March.

More sessions and meetings are slated to be held early next year, including a nuclear safety and waste management webinar on Jan. 16.