Nuclear Subsidies

Ontario’s oldest nuclear plant pleads its case this week for a few more years of active life.

But nuclear skeptics say it’s time to bring down the axe on the Pickering nuclear station.

It’s an old debate that pits hardened nuclear campaigners such as Greenpeace against low-profile supporters such as the Pickering Soccer Club.

It comes to a head because the Pickering station’s operating license runs out this year. But Ontario Power Generation, which owns and operates the plant, wants to keep the station running until about 2020.

The company wants to continue the operation without doing an environmental impact assessment, and without performing a major overhaul of the aging station.... Read more »

Extending the operations of the Pickering Nuclear plant for up to an additional 10 years beyond its designed life of 2014-2016 is a Cracking Bad Idea. This is the position of Sierra Club Canada’s Ontario Chapter as it participates in the current Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s public hearing into the Ontario Power Generation’s application for a renewal of Pickering A and B licenses.  Public hearings begin May 29, 2013 in Pickering, Ontario.

While OPG is confident that its plan provides the technical basis for the continued operation and eventual decommissioning of Pickering B station, Sierra Club is not.  Importantly, the plan is flawed on many levels.  Leaking old pressure tubes, concrete degradation and a 20 percent increase in collective worker radiation exposure in 2012, are just a few of the issues.... Read more »