Hit the Stop Button: Price of nuclear power going up 180% by 2026

(Queen’s Park): The Liberals need to hit the stop button on rebuilding the Darlington Nuclear Station in light of Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) request to raise rates for nuclear power by over 180% in the next decade says Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner.

“People are being hit hard by rising electricity prices, and they can’t afford the price increases from the Liberal’s plan to rebuild Ontario’s outdated nuclear plants,” says Schreiner. “No nuclear project in Ontario’s history has delivered on time or budget.”

OPG is seeking permission from the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to increase the price of its nuclear power by 11% per year for each of the next ten years, according to documents submitted to the OEB by OPG. Some observers anticipate the prices to be even higher due to cost overruns.

Schreiner is renewing the GPO’s demand for an independent review of nuclear costs. The Liberals have refused to conduct an independent public review of nuclear costs and alternatives, even though Quebec sells excess water power at a fraction of the cost of nuclear power.

“Protecting your pocketbook from nuclear cost overruns is clearly not a priority for the Liberal government,” says Schreiner. “Any home owner would get quotes before renovating their house, why are Liberals refusing to do the same for nuclear plants?”

The GPO is on a mission to bring honesty, integrity and good public policy to Queen’s Park.