Hon Bob Chiarelli
Minister of Energy
4th Floor, Hearst Block
900 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M7A 2E1
bchiarelli.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Dear Minister,
I am deeply concerned about your plans to spend our money on nuclear power without conducting an independent, public review of nuclear costs and alternatives. People simply cannot afford more nuclear cost overruns putting more debt charges on our electricity bills.
Spending more on nuclear power exposes everyone in Ontario to financial, environmental and safety risks that are not worth it. Rebuilding outdated nuclear plants is expensive for taxpayers and ratepayers, and risky for humans and the environment.
No nuclear project has delivered on time or on budget in Ontario’s history. We still do not have a plan for storing radioactive nuclear waste, nor do we have a public emergency plan to deal with a Fukushima-scale nuclear accident. And taxpayers are on the hook for the costs of a nuclear disaster because no private company will fully insure high risk nuclear stations.
We can’t afford to get this wrong. The good news is that there are plenty of alternative ways to meet Ontario’s energy needs that are less expensive, safer, and cleaner, and will be better for our economy. These include increased energy efficiency on a large scale, more power from renewable sources such as wind and solar, and water power imports from Quebec.
Why does your government refuse to look at these alternatives? You are making important decisions about our energy future, decisions which will affect our economy and our environment for decades to come. It’s just good, responsible governance to look at all options to meet our electricity needs.
I want to make sure that Ontario makes the right choices about our energy future. We deserve to know:
- How much will your nuclear energy plans really cost us?
- Are there alternative ways to meet our energy needs that are safer, cleaner, and cheaper?
Your government has not been able to answer these simple questions. That’s why I launched a petition to call for an independent, public review of the costs and alternatives to nuclear stations in Ontario.
As of February 10, 2016, 2275 people have signed their name in support.
Minister, we have serious concerns about spending $26 billion at Bruce and Darlington without knowing the facts.
That’s why we’re asking you to take immediate action by stopping work on rebuilding nuclear plants in Ontario, until a full, independent and public review is completed.
Regards,
Mike Schreiner
Leader, GPO