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It is still dubious as to how many nuclear reactors will be installed in Alberta since it all depends on water and approval after the environmental assessment. Schacherl claims that Energy Alberta Corporation, the original nuclear proponent, was intending to build 13 nuclear reactors in Alberta as part of their business plan. Then Bruce Power bought them out. Elena Schacherl founder of CAUSE explains, "When Bruce Power first came to Alberta, CEO Duncan Hawthorne stated that the Peace River region reactors are 'just the start' of development in Alberta. He admitted that the company has a 'very aggressive growth program.'" "What will be problematic for this plan in going forward, aside from public opposition, will be insufficient water for cooling. Nuclear uses 50% more water to generate electricity than fossil fuels. Bruce Power is now planning to build cooling towers and a cooling pond for the reactors proposed in Northern Alberta because there is not enough water for a 'once through cooling system' in the Peace River. But even then they have to pipe in water from the river to keep the cooling pond sufficiently filled. Not sure where they will find the water to venture into southern Alberta as well," warns Schacherl.

It is still dubious as to how many nuclear reactors will be installed in Alberta since it all depends on water and approval after the environmental assessment. Schacherl claims that Energy Alberta Corporation, the original nuclear proponent, was intending to build 13 nuclear reactors in Alberta as part of their business plan. Then Bruce Power bought them out. Elena Schacherl founder of CAUSE explains, "When Bruce Power first came to Alberta, CEO Duncan Hawthorne stated that the Peace River region reactors are 'just the start' of development in Alberta. He admitted that the company has a 'very aggressive growth program.'" "What will be problematic for this plan in going forward, aside from public opposition, will be insufficient water for cooling. Nuclear uses 50% more water to generate electricity than fossil fuels. Bruce Power is now planning to build cooling towers and a cooling pond for the reactors proposed in Northern Alberta because there is not enough water for a 'once through cooling system' in the Peace River. But even then they have to pipe in water from the river to keep the cooling pond sufficiently filled. Not sure where they will find the water to venture into southern Alberta as well," warns Schacherl.

It is still dubious as to how many nuclear reactors will be installed in Alberta since it all depends on water and approval after the environmental assessment. Schacherl claims that Energy Alberta Corporation, the original nuclear proponent, was intending to build 13 nuclear reactors in Alberta as part of their business plan. Then Bruce Power bought them out. Elena Schacherl founder of CAUSE explains, "When Bruce Power first came to Alberta, CEO Duncan Hawthorne stated that the Peace River region reactors are 'just the start' of development in Alberta. He admitted that the company has a 'very aggressive growth program.'" "What will be problematic for this plan in going forward, aside from public opposition, will be insufficient water for cooling. Nuclear uses 50% more water to generate electricity than fossil fuels. Bruce Power is now planning to build cooling towers and a cooling pond for the reactors proposed in Northern Alberta because there is not enough water for a 'once through cooling system' in the Peace River. But even then they have to pipe in water from the river to keep the cooling pond sufficiently filled. Not sure where they will find the water to venture into southern Alberta as well," warns Schacherl.

Anti-nuclear and pro-green energy grassroots groups came together to form the Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta (CNFA) in late 2008. The consolidation of concerned Albertans and organizations from across Alberta has a common goal: to keep Alberta nuclear free. The congregation of all Coalition members is to have one strong collective voice to achieve this goal. The CNFA was formed because of the rumored nuclear reactors that Bruce Power will be installing in Northern Alberta if Bill 50 is passed and the massive transmission project is completed. "Bill 50 in its present state will allow the provincial government to arbitrarily leapfrog past environment concerns and public consultations in implementing rapid expansion of the transmission system in Alberta. The legislation effectively eliminates the public's involvement in the decision making process and seriously damages landowners' ability to reject transmission towers from being constructed on their land," explains Chris Hooymans of the CNFA, representative for Calgary, Central and Southern Alberta.

Anti-nuclear and pro-green energy grassroots groups came together to form the Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta (CNFA) in late 2008. The consolidation of concerned Albertans and organizations from across Alberta has a common goal: to keep Alberta nuclear free. The congregation of all Coalition members is to have one strong collective voice to achieve this goal. The CNFA was formed because of the rumored nuclear reactors that Bruce Power will be installing in Northern Alberta if Bill 50 is passed and the massive transmission project is completed. "Bill 50 in its present state will allow the provincial government to arbitrarily leapfrog past environment concerns and public consultations in implementing rapid expansion of the transmission system in Alberta. The legislation effectively eliminates the public's involvement in the decision making process and seriously damages landowners' ability to reject transmission towers from being constructed on their land," explains Chris Hooymans of the CNFA, representative for Calgary, Central and Southern Alberta.

Elena Schacherl initiated the grassroots organization Citizens Advocating the Use of Sustainable Energy (CAUSE) in January 2007. Many of the people who are members of CAUSE come from diverse backgrounds. The announcement of possible plans for extensive nuclear development in Alberta by a company at the time called Energy Alberta Corporation was the inspiration behind its formation. The Alberta Environmental Network circulated the notice of the first meeting according to Schacherl. "Our mandate is to oppose nuclear development in Alberta by educating the public about the safety, environmental, health and economic risks of nuclear power. We support energy efficiency and renewable energy such as wind, solar and geothermal as safer, less expensive and more environmentally friendly means of conserving and generating electricity," explains Schacherl.

Elena Schacherl initiated the grassroots organization Citizens Advocating the Use of Sustainable Energy (CAUSE) in January 2007. Many of the people who are members of CAUSE come from diverse backgrounds. The announcement of possible plans for extensive nuclear development in Alberta by a company at the time called Energy Alberta Corporation was the inspiration behind its formation. The Alberta Environmental Network circulated the notice of the first meeting according to Schacherl. "Our mandate is to oppose nuclear development in Alberta by educating the public about the safety, environmental, health and economic risks of nuclear power. We support energy efficiency and renewable energy such as wind, solar and geothermal as safer, less expensive and more environmentally friendly means of conserving and generating electricity," explains Schacherl.

Alberta will not stand in the way of the construction of nuclear power plants, Energy Minister Mel Knight said Monday, following the release of a telephone survey that suggests 45 per cent of Albertans want nuclear plants approved on a case-by-case basis. "There'll be no moratorium," Knight told reporters at the Alberta legislature. "We are not proponents of nuclear energy. We're not working with any company to build nuclear energy. … We're saying that we need power, and proponents that want to build in the system in Alberta are welcome to do so."

Alberta will not stand in the way of the construction of nuclear power plants, Energy Minister Mel Knight said Monday, following the release of a telephone survey that suggests 45 per cent of Albertans want nuclear plants approved on a case-by-case basis. "There'll be no moratorium," Knight told reporters at the Alberta legislature. "We are not proponents of nuclear energy. We're not working with any company to build nuclear energy. … We're saying that we need power, and proponents that want to build in the system in Alberta are welcome to do so."

Schacherl describes the nuclear agenda for Alberta. Bruce Power, a private nuclear operator from Ontario, is proposing to build four large first-of-a-kind nuclear reactors in the Peace River region that would produce 4,000 megawatts of nuclear power. As the Pembina Institute has shown in "Greening the Grid," (http://re.pembina.org/pub/1763) all of our electrical needs can be met in Alberta over the next 20 years through energy efficiency, cogeneration and renewable energy such as wind, power and geothermal. "From wind power alone, there is 11,500 megawatts in applications waiting to be considered. The excess energy that nuclear would produce would end up being exported likely to the United States," verifies Schacherl. One of the reasons why nuclear energy is being installed in Northern Alberta is for assisting oil sands operation for the purpose of extracting bitumen. However, Schacherl explains that in March 2007, the Standing Committee on Natural Resources concluded that "classic nuclear plants are too big for oil sands development and that smaller plants would have to be considered."

Schacherl describes the nuclear agenda for Alberta. Bruce Power, a private nuclear operator from Ontario, is proposing to build four large first-of-a-kind nuclear reactors in the Peace River region that would produce 4,000 megawatts of nuclear power. As the Pembina Institute has shown in "Greening the Grid," (http://re.pembina.org/pub/1763) all of our electrical needs can be met in Alberta over the next 20 years through energy efficiency, cogeneration and renewable energy such as wind, power and geothermal. "From wind power alone, there is 11,500 megawatts in applications waiting to be considered. The excess energy that nuclear would produce would end up being exported likely to the United States," verifies Schacherl. One of the reasons why nuclear energy is being installed in Northern Alberta is for assisting oil sands operation for the purpose of extracting bitumen. However, Schacherl explains that in March 2007, the Standing Committee on Natural Resources concluded that "classic nuclear plants are too big for oil sands development and that smaller plants would have to be considered."

The Canadian province of Alberta is being challenged for its removal of nuclear protest signs from private property along roads, the Edmonton Journal said. In a region along the Peace River in northwestern Alberta, "No to Nuclear" protest signs sprang up after the provincial government recently expressed interest in pursuing nuclear power, the Journal said. This week, contracted Alberta Transportation crews began taking down the signs from public and private property, citing a provincial law that prohibits signage within 300 yards of a highway right-of-way. The agency said it sent letters out last week advising property owners of the law.

The Canadian province of Alberta is being challenged for its removal of nuclear protest signs from private property along roads, the Edmonton Journal said. In a region along the Peace River in northwestern Alberta, "No to Nuclear" protest signs sprang up after the provincial government recently expressed interest in pursuing nuclear power, the Journal said. This week, contracted Alberta Transportation crews began taking down the signs from public and private property, citing a provincial law that prohibits signage within 300 yards of a highway right-of-way. The agency said it sent letters out last week advising property owners of the law.

Nearly 200 people from across Alberta gathered at the legislature on Tuesday to ask their MLAs to refuse nuclear development in the province. "Nuclear power is expensive, obsolete and a dangerous technology, and Albertans don't want any part of it," Elena Schacherl told the crowd holding placards and banners. Schacherl is vice-president of the Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta, which opposes the construction of nuclear power plants in the province, and the organizers of the demonstration.

Nearly 200 people from across Alberta gathered at the legislature on Tuesday to ask their MLAs to refuse nuclear development in the province. "Nuclear power is expensive, obsolete and a dangerous technology, and Albertans don't want any part of it," Elena Schacherl told the crowd holding placards and banners. Schacherl is vice-president of the Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta, which opposes the construction of nuclear power plants in the province, and the organizers of the demonstration.

People apparently opposed to nuclear power in Alberta have depicted their views on at least one billboard that touts the controversial technology. Bruce Power, an Ontario company exploring nuclear development in the province, has put up billboards pitching the power source as a clean energy alternative in four Alberta communities. But one of the company's ads recently was painted over with a glowing, dead cow with a nuclear symbol branded on its rump and the slogan "A New Brand of AB Beef." There was also a radioactive symbol painted in the "o" in Bruce Power's name. Albert Cooper, a spokesman with Bruce Power, shrugged off the graffiti. "It's not a big deal," he said. "We simply replaced the board and moved on." Still, photos of the billboard were circulated among anti-nuclear advocates.

Alberta is wide open to smashing atoms and taxpayers won't be footing the bill. Despite decades of nuclear fiscal black pits showing taxpayer subsidies rivalling uranium as an indispensable fuel for the nuclear industry, we're told Alberta will be different. No need to look at Ontario's experience, where nuclear power has become too big to fail -- and even then, sticker shock has left the industry in a state of suspended animation. Last June, the province yanked the plug on a 20-year, $26-billion plan to refurbish Ontario's 18 aging nuclear plants after the bill for replacing just two of the reactors proved stunningly high -- a figure the province's government won't reveal. And as sure as the sun rises in the east, even those bids would eventually be seen as dramatically low-balled.

Alberta is wide open to smashing atoms and taxpayers won't be footing the bill. Despite decades of nuclear fiscal black pits showing taxpayer subsidies rivalling uranium as an indispensable fuel for the nuclear industry, we're told Alberta will be different. No need to look at Ontario's experience, where nuclear power has become too big to fail -- and even then, sticker shock has left the industry in a state of suspended animation. Last June, the province yanked the plug on a 20-year, $26-billion plan to refurbish Ontario's 18 aging nuclear plants after the bill for replacing just two of the reactors proved stunningly high -- a figure the province's government won't reveal. And as sure as the sun rises in the east, even those bids would eventually be seen as dramatically low-balled.

Brenda Brochu is afraid. If Bruce Power has its way, she worries years down the road, clouds of steam from nuclear cooling towers could rise into the sky near Grimshaw, 30 km from her Peace River home. "It will get into my garden produce, it will get into my pets, it will get into my grandchildren when they come to visit. This is not what I want," said Brochu, vice-president of the Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta, who was pounding on the walls of the Alberta legislature yesterday.

Residents fighting a proposed nuclear power plant in northern Alberta took their concerns to the legislature Monday, demanding the province keep its promise to hold public hearings. ''Let's have consultations, let's have public consultations throughout Alberta where Albertans can come and present their views and their concerns,'' said Brenda Brochu of the Peace River Environmental Society. Adele Boucher Rymhs of the Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta said there are environmental and health concerns that need to be addressed.

CALGARY, Alberta, April 23 (Reuters) - The Alberta government has appointed a panel of scientific, business, economic experts to study the pros and cons of nuclear power as one developer considers a C$10 billion ($9.8 billion) plant amid opposition by some environmentalists.

The issues surrounding oil production from the tar sands and nuclear power plants being proposed in Alberta are integrally woven together, says journalist Andrew Nikiforuk. The Calgary-based business journalist was in Grande Prairie Thursday to give a presentation at the Golden Age Centre based on his latest book, Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of the Continent. Sponsored by the National Farmers Union, it followed similar presentations in Dawson Creek, sponsored by the Peace River Organic Producers Association, and in Peace River, which was sponsored by the Peace River Environmental Society. The issues surrounding the tar sands and the nuclear power proposals weave together, said to Nikiforuk, as he believes one is motivating the other. Nikiforuk opened by stating the tar sands have changed Alberta forever.

"Organizers of a meeting about the effects of nuclear power on food production say the prospect of a reactor in Alberta is a serious worry for farmers. "I can't in good conscience sell beef that are eating … grass that is being exposed to tritium, which means it will be higher level of radiation than other parts of the country," said Mandy Melnuk, a beef producer who volunteers with the National Farmers Union. "So this is why we are fighting so hard, it's our livelihoods we're fighting for." The full-day symposium in Edmonton Monday was organized by the Alberta Organic Producers Association and the NFU."

"Mel Knight's announcement that nuclear power will be considered as an energy option in Alberta does not sit well with the Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta, the province-wide alliance of grassroots organizations opposed to nuclear development. Adele Boucher Rymhs, coalition president, feels the government has turned a deaf ear to the people to save its image on climate change. "They are saying that we should consider nuclear power because of low carbon emissions, and are totally ignoring the fact that radioactive emissions will be just as big a problem in our atmosphere." Though results of the online survey indicated that 55 per cent of respondents were opposed to nuclear, the government has chosen to allow unproven new generation technology to be developed in this province. The report also showed 75 per cent of Albertans are concerned about the health impacts of nuclear and 77 per cent do not want to leave a nuclear waste problem for future generations "

The Bruce Power partnership predicts a nuclear plant in the Peace River region of Alberta would contribute $12 billion to the province's economy during the construction period and would generate 2,700 long-term jobs. "While more detailed work needs to be done, this early report paints a good picture of the economic benefits our proposal could bring to the Peace Country," Duncan Hawthorne, president of Bruce Power Alberta, said in releasing the partnership's study Tuesday.

The Alberta Liberal Opposition is raising concerns that the "fix is in" for nuclear power after a Conservative campaign manager was hired by the Ontario firm looking to build Alberta's first nuclear reactor. The Liberals say Randy Dawson was hired recently by Bruce Power to do government relations after he ran a successful campaign for Premier Ed Stelmach's Tories in the March provincial election.

Environmentalists are calling an Alberta government document aimed at giving people an unbiased look at the possibility of nuclear power in the province "fraudulent." The report, released Thursday, doesn't make any recommendations on the hotly contested question but is a "factual report" that allows a fully informed discussion, said Energy Minister Mel Knight. Not so, said Gordon Edwards, president of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility.

The government is expected to release a report on nuclear power Thursday, officially launching a provincial debate on whether Alberta will invite Bruce Power to build a reactor near Peace River. "There's nothing in it that's prescriptive, there's nothing in it that indicates what the province should do, one way or another," Energy Minister Mel Knight said Wednesday. The report sets out answers to how nuclear reactors work and how such a project might affect the air, water and ground. It also shows how nuclear energy would tie into Alberta's system, Knight said.

With anticipation growing over an Alberta government report on nuclear power, a coalition of anti-nuclear groups has submitted a 2,500-person province-wide petition against development of the energy source. "Why won't you shift government investment to renewable energy options instead of an option that creates radioactive waste that will threaten Albertans for tens of thousands of years?" NDP environment critic Rachel Notley said in the legislature Monday. The groups held press conferences in both Edmonton and Calgary on Monday before having Alberta Liberal and NDP MLAs table the petitions in the legislature.