EDWARDS: The age of nuclear power is on the decline . . .
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 5:21 pmEDWARDS: The End of an Era: Input sought on the future of the Pickering nuclear station
Background: April 1, 2015
The eight nuclear reactors located at Pickering Ontario will all be closed permanently by 2020. Two of them are already shut down for good. The demise of the Pickering NPP will reduce the number of operating power reactors in Canada from 19 to 13. There have been no new reactors ordered in Canada since 1978.
The age of nuclear power is on the decline. In North America and Western Europe, more nuclear reactors will be shut down each year than new ones can possibly be built -- and the prospects for new reactors are sparse.
Worldwide, the role of nuclear power has also been declining -- dropping from about 17 percent of global electricity supply in 2005 to little more than 10 percent today. The main markets for new reactors are in Eastern Europe and Asia, with some prospects in the Middle East -- possibly inspired by the growing concerns over nuclear weapons capabilities in that region.
But while the age of nuclear power may be winding down, the age of nuclear waste is just beginning. As more and more nuclear facilities are shut down and dismantled, larger and larger inventories of radioactive waste materials will need to be packaged and sequestered for the very long term -- hundreds of thousands of years. It is increasingly important for citizens of the world to pay very close attention to what is going on, to prevent deliberate or accidental dispersion of these wastes into the environment or into commercial products through the contamination of raw materials such as scrap metal.
Unfortunately, both the industry and the regulators are in a conflict of interest on this point, because both have a vested interest in fostering the abandonment of these wastes. The industry wants to limit its long-term liability to a finite amount and the regulators want to limit their obligations to a finite span of time.
Gordon Edwards, President
Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility
http://www.ccnr.org
----------------------------------------------------
Input sought on future of Pickering nuclear station
[ http://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/ ... r-station/ ]
Plant slated to close in 2020
Pickering nuclear plant -- what should happen with the nuclear station site after the facility closes? That's what Ontario Power Generation has begun working on, as the company is planning to pull the plug on the Pickering station (8 reactors) in 2020.
by Keith Gilligan, Durham Region News,
PICKERING -- What should happen with the Pickering nuclear station site after the facility closes?
That’s what Ontario Power Generation has begun working on, as the company is planning on pulling the plug on the Pickering station in 2020.
In a project called ‘Repurposing Pickering’, OPG will be reaching out to the public for input on what should be done with the site.
What will become of the site is a long way off, as nothing will be happening until about 2060.
During a meeting of the nuclear station’s community advisory council on Tuesday, March 17, Dave Hardy, a consultant retained by OPG, said, “We’re shifting to defining a process rather than a static plan,” noting 2060 is “a long way out. It’s a little too early to be thinking of uses in 2060.
“It’s not too early to start the conversation,” he added. “Really, we now have to start thinking of uses around the plant.”
That includes industrial and residential uses surrounding the facility.
“That’s why land management is so important. It’s a process that allows us to make decisions and helps us work with our partners,” Mr. Hardy added.
Suggestions so far include an energy museum, an energy park and even a concert hall.
During the meeting, members of the council divided into small groups and were asked to come up with “two wild-card” ideas for what the site could be used for. Some of the suggestions included an education centre dedicated to marsh restoration, an RV park to service a proposed casino, a recreation of Camp X -- the camp on the border of Whitby and Oshawa where Allied spies were trained during the Second World War -- a launch for boat cruises and a botanical garden.
Committee member Ralph Sutton thought rebuilding the plant would be a good idea, noting much of the infrastructure is already in place and OPG has existing licences with its regulators.
Bill Houston’s group suggested, given OPG’s “impressive safety record,” a centre for excellence for safety could be developed.
“It could build on the great reputation developed by OPG.”
Jerry Keto, vice-president of nuclear decommissioning, said, “Everything is on the table here.”
After the plant stops operating, fuel and water in the reactors has to be removed. Then the reactors will sit for about 15 years to allow radiation to decay.
The nuclear reactor buildings couldn’t be dismantled until the mid-2040s, Mr. Keto added.
“It’s OPG’s intention to hold onto the property for its uses. There’s no plans to sell,” he added.
Mr. Keto said, “We have also reached out to our employees for input. We’re not only looking outside, but we’re looking inside as well.”
The power lines coming from the plant “I don’t see those going anywhere anytime soon,” Mr. Keto said. “Hydro One would see them as useful.”
A public open house is slated for April, but the details are still being worked out.
- - - - - -
Reporter Keith Gilligan covers Town of Ajax for Metroland Media Group’s Durham Region Division
Background: April 1, 2015
The eight nuclear reactors located at Pickering Ontario will all be closed permanently by 2020. Two of them are already shut down for good. The demise of the Pickering NPP will reduce the number of operating power reactors in Canada from 19 to 13. There have been no new reactors ordered in Canada since 1978.
The age of nuclear power is on the decline. In North America and Western Europe, more nuclear reactors will be shut down each year than new ones can possibly be built -- and the prospects for new reactors are sparse.
Worldwide, the role of nuclear power has also been declining -- dropping from about 17 percent of global electricity supply in 2005 to little more than 10 percent today. The main markets for new reactors are in Eastern Europe and Asia, with some prospects in the Middle East -- possibly inspired by the growing concerns over nuclear weapons capabilities in that region.
But while the age of nuclear power may be winding down, the age of nuclear waste is just beginning. As more and more nuclear facilities are shut down and dismantled, larger and larger inventories of radioactive waste materials will need to be packaged and sequestered for the very long term -- hundreds of thousands of years. It is increasingly important for citizens of the world to pay very close attention to what is going on, to prevent deliberate or accidental dispersion of these wastes into the environment or into commercial products through the contamination of raw materials such as scrap metal.
Unfortunately, both the industry and the regulators are in a conflict of interest on this point, because both have a vested interest in fostering the abandonment of these wastes. The industry wants to limit its long-term liability to a finite amount and the regulators want to limit their obligations to a finite span of time.
Gordon Edwards, President
Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility
http://www.ccnr.org
----------------------------------------------------
Input sought on future of Pickering nuclear station
[ http://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/ ... r-station/ ]
Plant slated to close in 2020
Pickering nuclear plant -- what should happen with the nuclear station site after the facility closes? That's what Ontario Power Generation has begun working on, as the company is planning to pull the plug on the Pickering station (8 reactors) in 2020.
by Keith Gilligan, Durham Region News,
PICKERING -- What should happen with the Pickering nuclear station site after the facility closes?
That’s what Ontario Power Generation has begun working on, as the company is planning on pulling the plug on the Pickering station in 2020.
In a project called ‘Repurposing Pickering’, OPG will be reaching out to the public for input on what should be done with the site.
What will become of the site is a long way off, as nothing will be happening until about 2060.
During a meeting of the nuclear station’s community advisory council on Tuesday, March 17, Dave Hardy, a consultant retained by OPG, said, “We’re shifting to defining a process rather than a static plan,” noting 2060 is “a long way out. It’s a little too early to be thinking of uses in 2060.
“It’s not too early to start the conversation,” he added. “Really, we now have to start thinking of uses around the plant.”
That includes industrial and residential uses surrounding the facility.
“That’s why land management is so important. It’s a process that allows us to make decisions and helps us work with our partners,” Mr. Hardy added.
Suggestions so far include an energy museum, an energy park and even a concert hall.
During the meeting, members of the council divided into small groups and were asked to come up with “two wild-card” ideas for what the site could be used for. Some of the suggestions included an education centre dedicated to marsh restoration, an RV park to service a proposed casino, a recreation of Camp X -- the camp on the border of Whitby and Oshawa where Allied spies were trained during the Second World War -- a launch for boat cruises and a botanical garden.
Committee member Ralph Sutton thought rebuilding the plant would be a good idea, noting much of the infrastructure is already in place and OPG has existing licences with its regulators.
Bill Houston’s group suggested, given OPG’s “impressive safety record,” a centre for excellence for safety could be developed.
“It could build on the great reputation developed by OPG.”
Jerry Keto, vice-president of nuclear decommissioning, said, “Everything is on the table here.”
After the plant stops operating, fuel and water in the reactors has to be removed. Then the reactors will sit for about 15 years to allow radiation to decay.
The nuclear reactor buildings couldn’t be dismantled until the mid-2040s, Mr. Keto added.
“It’s OPG’s intention to hold onto the property for its uses. There’s no plans to sell,” he added.
Mr. Keto said, “We have also reached out to our employees for input. We’re not only looking outside, but we’re looking inside as well.”
The power lines coming from the plant “I don’t see those going anywhere anytime soon,” Mr. Keto said. “Hydro One would see them as useful.”
A public open house is slated for April, but the details are still being worked out.
- - - - - -
Reporter Keith Gilligan covers Town of Ajax for Metroland Media Group’s Durham Region Division