Nuclear Industry Welcomes Ontario Climate Change Action Plan

OTTAWA (June 9, 2016) – The Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) welcomes the Ontario government’s release of its Climate Change Action Plan, which aims to reduce the province’s GHG emissions 80 per cent by 2050. The Plan supports Ontario’s impending Cap and Trade program by defining how the cap and trade auction proceeds will be spent.

“In our view, the Ontario government’s policy is a step in the right direction, as it aims to reduce carbon emissions primarily through displacing the use of fossil fuels and also through energy efficiency,” said CNA President John Barrett.

“Nuclear energy is vital to the success of the Climate Change Action Plan, because it is a clean, low-carbon technology that generates electricity without greenhouse gases.”

Ontario’s great advantage in reducing emissions is its strong, reliable, clean electric power system, which can deliver the energy to replace higher-emission fuels throughout the economy.

Providing about 60 percent of Ontario’s electricity supply, nuclear power anchors Ontario’s performance as well as its reputation as a leading clean electricity province.  Its formidable baseload supply strength enabled Ontario to get off coal, resulting in one of the most significant climate change mitigation initiatives in North America.

The Ontario government’ recent announcement to extend the operational life of the nuclear reactors at OPG’s Darlington plant and Bruce Power’s facility in Tiverton constitutes the largest clean energy investment in North America.  Refurbishment of the nuclear fleet not only preserves Ontario’s clean electricity advantage, but also will help to extend and deepen electrification of the province’s key energy-consumption sectors, including transportation.

“The Climate Change Action Plan will need the help of nuclear power as Ontario transitions to a low-carbon economy,” said Dr. Barrett. “Together we will continue to deliver the affordable, clean, reliable electric power system that is essential in achieving the province’s environmental and economic goals.  As the preponderant source of the province’s clean electricity, we look forward to working closely with the Ontario government to this end.”

The Canadian Nuclear Association represents the nuclear industry in Canada and promotes the development and growth of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes.

Its 119 members mine uranium, fabricate fuel, design and service reactors, generate electricity, advance nuclear medicine, and export Canadian nuclear expertise. These activities employ 60,000 Canadians.

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For more information:

John Stewart
Director of Policy and Research
613-237-4262 ext. 103
stewartj@cna.ca