• About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
No Result
View All Result
The Brief
NB MEDIA CO-OP
Share a story
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Gender
  • Politics
  • Arts & Culture
  • Videos
  • COVID-19
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Gender
  • Politics
  • Arts & Culture
  • Videos
  • COVID-19
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
2 min 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 ThompsonLeap4wardsnuclearrenewable energySaint Johnsmall modular nuclear reactorswind energy
Share856TweetSend

Related Posts

More nuclear reactors (SMRs) for New Brunswick? [video]
*Opinion*

More nuclear reactors (SMRs) for New Brunswick? [video]

January 16, 2021

The province and NB Power are promoting two more nuclear reactors (SMRs), to be built next to the existing reactor...

The hypocrisy of the Liberal’s nuclear policy
*Opinion*

The hypocrisy of the Liberal’s nuclear policy

November 26, 2020

A Vancouver MP’s last-minute withdrawal from a recent webinar on Canada’s nuclear arms policy highlights Liberal hypocrisy. The government says...

Trudeau’s fake feminist foreign policy targets progressives
*Opinion*

Trudeau’s fake feminist foreign policy targets progressives

November 19, 2020

Like a cereal company marketing sugar-covered GMO cornflakes as a "healthy breakfast," Justin Trudeau's government spouts progressive buzzwords that mask elitist,...

Throne speech promise of nuclear reactor revenue does not add up
Economy

Throne speech promise of nuclear reactor revenue does not add up

November 18, 2020

On Tuesday this week, the Higgs government formalized its support for the development of new nuclear reactors (so-called small modular...

Load More

Recommended

Will the new finance minister redirect $19 billion from fighter jets to a gender-aware budget?

Will the new finance minister redirect $19 billion from fighter jets to a gender-aware budget?

5 months ago

NB Power asked to put conditions on blood coal from Colombia

5 years ago

Law Society of NB wrong to accredit discriminatory law program at Trinity Western University

7 years ago
Continuing the slow decline, but that’s okay – A letter from New Brunswick’s future #16

Continuing the slow decline, but that’s okay – A letter from New Brunswick’s future #16

1 year 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.

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

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

Log In