• About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
Thursday, May 26, 2022
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
The Brief
NB MEDIA CO-OP
Share a story
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Gender
  • Politics
  • Culture
  • Videos
  • NB debrief
  • Articles en français
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Gender
  • Politics
  • Culture
  • Videos
  • NB debrief
  • Articles en français
No Result
View All Result
NB MEDIA CO-OP
No Result
View All Result
Home *Opinion*

Small modular nuclear reactors threaten renewable energy transition in NB

by David Thompson
December 1, 2019
Reading Time: 2min read

World's highest Darrieus wind generator, Gaspé peninsula, Quebec. (Photo by guillom - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=466915)

For a brighter future of environmental and economic sustainability, we need to act now on our future energy sources. Government energy policy, funding and resources must focus on efficient energy use and developing renewable energy sources, particularly for electricity generation.

We are very concerned about two companies that have set up offices in Saint John to develop non-renewable energy projects: ARC Nuclear Canada and Moltex Energy. Both companies are moving forward to design and construct separate types of small modular nuclear reactors with possible construction of prototype reactors to begin in 2028. They recently announced they are looking for more money.

The Government of New Brunswick has already invested a total of $10 million ($5 million to each company). In addition, NB Power, a corporation owned by the NB government, has invested an unknown amount in these companies. ARC Nuclear Canada recently disclosed their attempt to secure $20 million in funding from the Government of Canada. At press time, the government of NB is expected to make an announcement confirming the federal funding.

If non-renewable energy projects such as these small modular nuclear reactors have any realistic economic merit, they can and will be funded by private investors.

High profile and speculative non-renewable energy projects that require large amounts of public funding threaten the progress of transitioning to a renewable energy future. They divert investment away from renewables and conservation.

The benefits of renewable energy are obvious. The fuels for renewable energy (sunshine and light from the sun, wind, moving water, and thermal heat from the earth) are all free and inflation-proof into the future. Renewable energy production produces no toxic waste materials, C02 or air pollution. Many renewable energy generation projects can be constructed and be producing a stream of cash and clean electricity in less than five years.

Currently, wind power is the cheapest form of electricity generation at about 3.5 cents per kw hour, and the cost continues to drop with greater efficiency and new technological developments. In most cases, wind projects can be up and running in less than three years, producing both electricity and cash.

Our government needs to expand, build and improve on energy conservation and efficiency programs to assist homeowners, particularly those on lower incomes, to upgrade their homes, reduce their cost of living and improve their communities. Expanded and improved energy conservation and efficiency programs are also required for small businesses, public facilities and rental housing. Energy efficiency and conservation programs have huge potential to create employment in many building trades and economic activity in communities.

It is important that provincial funding and federal energy dollars to New Brunswick be directed to renewable energy projects and energy efficiency programs. These should not play second fiddle to speculative, non-renewable nuclear energy projects.

Read all of the NB Media Co-op stories about the proposed nuclear reactors for New Brunswick, here.

David Thompson is a member of Leap4wards in Saint John, NB.

 

Tags: climate crisisDavid ThompsonLeap4wardsMoltexnuclearrenewable energySaint Johnsmall modular nuclear reactorswind energy
Share856TweetSend

Related Posts

Public hearing calls attention to the threat of nuclear energy in New Brunswick. Passamaquoddy Nation responds.
Environment

Public hearing calls attention to the threat of nuclear energy in New Brunswick. Passamaquoddy Nation responds.

May 13, 2022

On Tuesday, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) held a public hearing in Saint John to discuss and hear interventions...

More nuclear reactors (SMRs): A bad investment for New Brunswick
Environment

New Brunswick’s nuclear reactor emits high levels of radioactivity, increasing cancer risk

May 9, 2022

New Brunswick Power's Point Lepreau nuclear reactor on the Bay of Fundy emits much higher levels of radioactive tritium than...

Fredericton takes part in ‘Fridays For Future’ global climate strike
Climate change

Fredericton takes part in ‘Fridays For Future’ global climate strike

April 13, 2022

Organizers of the Fridays for Future (FFF) strike that recently took place in New Brunswick were pleased with the turnout and with...

Plus de questions sur le financement du plutonium pour le Nouveau-Brunswick et la prolifération des armes nucléaires
Articles en français

Plus de questions sur le financement du plutonium pour le Nouveau-Brunswick et la prolifération des armes nucléaires

April 12, 2022

La menace de déploiement d'armes nucléaires par Vladimir Poutine et la militarisation potentielle des centrales nucléaires en Ukraine ont réveillé...

Load More

Recommended

What Rolling Thunder and the Freedom Convoy tell us about the Canadian working class

What Rolling Thunder and the Freedom Convoy tell us about the Canadian working class

1 day ago
New Brunswick’s forgotten forests, global treasures that need our help

New Brunswick’s forgotten forests, global treasures that need our help

10 hours ago
Opposition Day: No electoral reform for New Brunswick

Opposition Day: No electoral reform for New Brunswick

4 days ago
NB Media Co-op

© 2019 NB Media Co-op. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
  • Share a Story
  • Calendar
  • Archives

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
  • Share a Story
  • COVID-19
  • Videos
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Arts & Culture
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Politics
  • Rural

© 2019 NB Media Co-op. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In