Ottawa holds back on new funding for small nuclear reactors

[Oscar]

Ottawa holds back on new funding for small nuclear reactors

[ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/busines ... -reactors/ ]

McClearn, Matthew, The Globe and Mail (Online), Toronto, Dec 18, 2020. **SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED**

Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O'Regan has unveiled a new plan to advance the development of new nuclear reactors that was notably short on dollars and specifics.

The announcement capped a week showcasing the federal government's bid to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century. But unlike the federal hydrogen strategy, which included $1.5-billion in funding to encourage production in low-carbon fuels, the government unveiled no new money for small modular reactors (SMRs) on Friday.

Instead, the government vowed to continue supporting a "shared effort to make SMRs a reality," building on a plan from two years ago. Mr. O'Regan said the next step was "taking the show on the road," meeting with mayors from communities that have nuclear reactors and others interested in doing so. He said he expects SMRs will be connected to the grid between 2030 and 2050.

The lack of specifics highlighted the fact that SMRs are in early stages of development. Yet their success is widely regarded as crucial for Canada's nuclear industry, which employs 30,000 and contributes $6-billion to the economy, according to Natural Resources Canada.

Mr. O'Regan said nuclear technology is indispensable to the climate plan. "We don't see a path that we can reach net zero by 2050 without nuclear," he said.

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