Canada bets on a nuclear future

But many believe it's not the best option for lowering greenhouse gas emissions

I have a big feature story today in Canada's National Observer on the Liberal government’s push to sell nuclear power to the people.

In particular, the federal government is betting on a new technology known as small modular reactors (SMRs). These are nuclear reactors that could power as little as one megawatt to as many as 300 megawatts. They’re designed to be manufactured in facilities, and then shipped out to places where their power may be needed, such as remote mining operations, communities that currently use large-scale diesel generators, and more.

The feds also tout the technology as a necessary technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and as a vital part of Canada’s carbon reduction program.

The only thing is, a single SMR has yet to be built.

The Canada Conference Board estimates it will cost roughly a billion dollars to develop the technology. Most of the proposed SMRS won’t come online until the late 2020s or early 2030s.

Not surprisingly, the idea doesn’t go over well with environmentalists who are concerned over the cost of the technology, the length of time it will take to get the SMRS in use, the way in which the tech pulls attention from other renewables such as wind and solar, potential meltdowns, radioactive waste, and more.

My story today is what’s known in journalism as an “explainer.” It’s meant to do just that: explain what stage the nuclear program in Canada is at, where it’s headed, and potential implications.

Judging from the comments on the story, a number of readers thought I was soft on the industry. Frankly, it’s not my job to have an opinion; rather, it’s my job to report and try and arrive at a fair and balanced article.

Some interesting points from this story: As Canada goes full-bore into nuclear energy as a “green” solution, the European Union - which has heavily invested in nuclear (France pulls 70 per cent of its power from nuclear) - is shifting toward renewable energy. Second point: The federal government is pushing nuclear hard; it’s pouring money into the SMR projects; is partners with an international organization that promotes nuclear which has the eyebrow-raising acronym NICE; and even spent $150,000 to have a book of “Top 20” feel-good nuclear stories produced.

It’s not my first story on nuclear and there’s more ahead. Stay tuned.