Rising electricity rates should halt Ontario’s nuclear plans

(Queen’s Park): Rising electricity rates should prompt an independent review of the costs of rebuilding nuclear stations according to GPO leader Mike Schreiner.
 
Ontario’s residential electricity rates rose by 3.4% on November 1st. According to an Ontario Energy Board report, 45% of the rise in Ontario’s electricity generation costs is due to subsidies for Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) and Bruce Power’s aging nuclear reactors.
 
“Protecting our pocketbooks from nuclear cost overruns is clearly not a priority for the Liberal government,” says GPO leader Mike Schreiner. “It’s irresponsible for the Liberals to spend billions on rebuilding nuclear plants without conducting an independent review of costs and alternatives.”
 
The GPO is calling on the government to halt plans for new nuclear until an independent, public review of costs and alternatives is completed.  
 
Even though no nuclear project has delivered on budget or on time, Ontario has never conducted an independent review of nuclear costs or alternatives. Research indicates that Ontario could keep the lights on with lower cost alternatives to nuclear such as energy efficiency, water power imports from Quebec, and wind energy. 
 
“This government either ignores expert advice when it comes to selling off Hydro One, or doesn’t even ask for it when it comes to spending billions on rebuilding nuclear plants,” says Schreiner. “Either way, you lose when your electricity bill arrives.”
 
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission begins hearings today on plans to rebuild the Darlington Nuclear Station.
 
The GPO is on a mission to bring honesty, integrity and good public policy to Queen’s Park.
 
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