More Uranium neededBruce Power applies to build reactors
Aug. 17, 2006. 02:33 PM
CANADIAN PRESS
TIVERTON — Bruce Power has asked the country's nuclear watchdog for permission to start planning for the construction of new nuclear reactors.
Bruce first started the process in 2004 when it began to study the feasibility of restarting Bruce A Units 1 and 2, refurbishing its four Bruce B reactors when needed, and potentially building new reactors.
"We have done a lot of analysis work over the last two years, but to better define our options we now have to embark upon a more formal evaluation process," said Duncan Hawthorne, Bruce Power's president and CEO.
The application to build new reactors will be subject to review under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, which could take up to three years to complete.
"While I believe we have many of the attributes that make our site a good location for new build, it's really important, given the magnitude of this decision, that we go through the formal process to confirm that is the case," Hawthorne said.
Bruce Power currently operates six units and is in the process of restarting two more at its 2,300-acre site, the source of more than 20 per cent of Ontario's electricity.
Bruce Power will hold an open house with the local community on Aug. 30 to discuss its plans.
The company's application to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission comes as no surprise given Energy Minister Dwight Duncan has directed the province's power authority to look into building new reactors over the next 20 years.