Stop the Hogs!

Ottawa announces up to $74M for small modular nuclear reactor development in Sask.

[ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatch ... -1.6941609 ]

A final decision on whether to build a small modular reactor in the province is expected in 2029

Canada is getting behind the development of small modular nuclear reactors in Saskatchewan, the federal minister of energy and natural resources announced on Saturday,

Ottawa has approved up to $74 million in federal funding for small modular reactor (SMR) development in the province, Jonathan Wilkinson said in Saskatoon.

SMRs generate nuclear power. The idea is to help fuel the transition to net-zero emissions and meet the federal government's climate goals by transitioning toward non-emitting energy, Wilkinson said, speaking at the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation at the University of Saskatchewan. . . . ."

MORE . . . .

Nuclear Reactors in Saskatchewan

[ http://cleangreensask.ca/no-smrs/ ]

QUOTE: "Cost of the BWRX-300 In 2022, Don Morgan, Minister for SaskPower stated "A small reactor would cost in the range of $5 billion. So they’re certainly not inexpensive." To pay for the reactors (the province’s strategy calls for building four), Morgan said: “We’ve indicated to Ottawa that we will require significant support from them, as well as look at potential equity stakes from Indigenous groups.” Saskatchewan maps out plan for small nuclear power reactors and 4 provinces push ahead with plan to build small nuclear reactors to supply power. . . . . "

MORE . . .

Protesters call for clean energy transition in response to global climate emergency

[ https://leaderpost.com/news/protesters- ... 0by%202035. ]

Many carried signs brandished with calls for clean electricity and for the province to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.

Author of the article: Angela Amato August 12, 2023

(PHOTO) SaskPower protestProtesters stand outside of SaskPower to call on SaskPower to transition to clean electricity in response to global climate crisis on Friday, August 11, 2023 in Regina. PHOTO BY KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post

More than 50 people gathered in front of SaskPower Plaza in downtown Regina on Friday afternoon calling on the Crown corporation to transition to clean energy in response to the growing global climate crisis.

“Shame,” booed the crowd when the Saskatchewan Party premier’s plan was brought up by speakers.

Canada, the U.S and the rest of the G7 countries have all committed to net zero electricity by 2035.

“Our publicly owned utilities are unique in Canada, and we have every right to demand their commitment to accelerate the transition of our grid away from fossil fuels,” said a statement from rally organizer Mac Findlay.

Mark Bigland-Pritchard, who runs Low Energy Design Ltd., a company that operates as a consultation firm in energy, environmental assessment, green building and architectural physics, spoke at the rally and said the province needs to abandon plans for new fossil fuel plants and work to phase out existing ones.

“We’ve seen disaster after disaster,” said Bigland-Pritchard. “We need all hands on deck.”

With 2023 being the hottest year on record, climate activists are calling on governments to make rapid decisions before it’s too late.

“I can feel our freedom slowly slipping away,” said rally organizer Sydney Taylor.

While SaskPower claims to be working hard to decarbonize the grid, spokesperson Kathy Young said reaching net zero by 2035 isn’t “feasible technically, logistically or financially.”

Many brandished signs calling for clean electricity and for the province to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.

Earlier this year, Premier Scott Moe pledged to meet the net zero goal by 2050 in a new provincial plan.