Darlington’s new nuclear project recently received the all clear for up to four new reactors to be added to the current site, pending approval from the feds.

The joint review panel for the nuclear power plant project, which had been tasked with investigating any adverse environmental effects caused by the project, announced that it has submitted its report to the federal minister of the environment for consent.

After hearing presentations from Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Aboriginal groups, federal and provincial governments, local governments, environmental groups, individuals and organizations interested in the potential effects of the project, the panel concluded that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Of course, to insure that no effects arise, the mitigation measures proposed and commitments made by OPG and listed in the report must be followed.

“We’re pleased that the panel realized that there weren’t any adverse impacts,” says Ted Gruetzner, a representative of OPG, adding nuclear power supplies the province with 50 per cent of its energy. “It’s part of the long-term energy plan.”

The new report also comes on the tail of a review of the environmental impact statement prepared by OPG, as well as a public hearing, which was interrupted by Greenpeace protesters, and an in-camera session held earlier in the summer.

All these reviews revolved around the desire for an addition to the Darlington Nuclear Plant. According to the summarized report, “(t)he Darlington New Nuclear Power Plant Project (the Project) is a proposal by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) for the site preparation, construction, operation, decommissioning and abandonment of up to four new nuclear reactors at its existing Darlington Nuclear site in the Municipality of Clarington, Ontario. The Project is expected to generate up to 4,800 megawatts of electricity for delivery to the Ontario grid with an initial need of 2,000 megawatts.”

The construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of the four new reactors is intended to last 60 years.

The report now goes to the federal Minister of the Environment, Peter Kent, who will either reject it or take it to cabinet for approval. Afterwards, it is bounced back to the provincial government, which could look much different on October 6, to announce the project and decide on the specifics. OPG will then begin licensing the project for construction and operation.

The joint review panel, which submitted the report, is made up of Alan R. Graham, a member of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), as the panel chair, with Jocelyne Beaudet and Joseph Kenneth Pereira as panel members. Canada’s then Environment Minister Jim Prentice and Michael Binder, president and CEO of the CNSC made the appointments in fall 2009.

The recent release of the Ontario New Democratic Party’s (NDP) environmental platform contended that it would halt the Darlington expansion if elected.

“Our whole platform centers on trying to put more money into the pockets of citizens,” says Oshawa NDP candidate Mike Shields. If elected, he and his party say they would transfer money from nuclear projects like Darlington and use them for social programs.

“The cheapest form of power is energy you never have to utilize,” explains Shields. “There’s no doubt giving people jobs is as good as it gets but you can’t throw bad money after bad money. There’s better ways that are more efficient.”

Oshawa’s current MPP Jerry Ouellette counters that the best social program is the jobs the Darlington expansion would create.

“The nuclear plants are the number one employers in the region,” says MPP Ouellette. “They’re (the NDP) not looking at the job impact and job creation. By canceling it…there’s going to be a lot more people depending on social programs.”

Greenpeace, which protested the earlier public hearing process, gave a statement via their nuclear campaigner, Shawn-Patrick Stensil.

“We’re disappointed that the review panel has followed the McGuinty government’s orders not to consider cheaper and safer alternatives to building new reactors,” says Stensil.  “Other countries have dropped proposals to build new reactors and are investing in safer and cheaper green energy options instead. Ontario should too.”

Stensil added that the recommendations made by the review panel prove OPG still has issues to tackle.

“This should be no surprise because all of OPG’s past nuclear projects have been delayed and gone over budget,” he declares.

OPG reportedly turned down earlier bids of more than $20 billion to build the new Darlington project.

Both the report and the environmental assessment for the new project can be viewed at OPG’s website.

via Oshawa Express.