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* Says more information and consultation needed * Bruce Power, gov't panel had urged reactor be built By Cameron French TORONTO, Dec 17 (Reuters) - The Canadian province of Saskatchewan, a top uranium producing region, said on Thursday it will not go ahead with construction of Western Canada's first nuclear power plant due to uncertainty about costs. However, the government left the door open to future development and raised the possibility of co-operation with the neighboring Prairie provinces of Alberta and Manitoba.

* Says more information and consultation needed * Bruce Power, gov't panel had urged reactor be built By Cameron French TORONTO, Dec 17 (Reuters) - The Canadian province of Saskatchewan, a top uranium producing region, said on Thursday it will not go ahead with construction of Western Canada's first nuclear power plant due to uncertainty about costs. However, the government left the door open to future development and raised the possibility of co-operation with the neighboring Prairie provinces of Alberta and Manitoba.

More than a quarter of Albertans oppose allowing nuclear power plants to be built in the province, while almost half remain "conflicted" about the energy source, according to a new government report released Monday. And people north of Edmonton - were several nuclear plants have been proposed - were more likely to oppose building the plants, by around 32 per cent, compared to the Calgary region, at 24 per cent, was the least opposed. "Only those Albertans who hold consistently positive views of science and the nuclear industry - and are less concerned by the potential for negative consequences - actually want to see the government encourage nuclear proposals," said the report by Alberta Energy.

More than a quarter of Albertans oppose allowing nuclear power plants to be built in the province, while almost half remain "conflicted" about the energy source, according to a new government report released Monday. And people north of Edmonton - were several nuclear plants have been proposed - were more likely to oppose building the plants, by around 32 per cent, compared to the Calgary region, at 24 per cent, was the least opposed. "Only those Albertans who hold consistently positive views of science and the nuclear industry - and are less concerned by the potential for negative consequences - actually want to see the government encourage nuclear proposals," said the report by Alberta Energy.

Nuclear power may be too large and too costly for Saskatchewan, Premier Brad Wall says. He made the comment this week in what appears to be another indication of his government's diminishing enthusiasm for nuclear power. Earlier, a report was released on public consultations on the government's Uranium Development Partnership, a bid to explore the future of nuclear energy in the province. The report showed an "overwhelming" rejection of nuclear power from respondents. Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd has said the government has become increasingly cautious on nuclear energy's potential because of the cost.

Nuclear power may be too large and too costly for Saskatchewan, Premier Brad Wall says. He made the comment this week in what appears to be another indication of his government's diminishing enthusiasm for nuclear power. Earlier, a report was released on public consultations on the government's Uranium Development Partnership, a bid to explore the future of nuclear energy in the province. The report showed an "overwhelming" rejection of nuclear power from respondents. Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd has said the government has become increasingly cautious on nuclear energy's potential because of the cost.

Denison Mines (DML.TO) said on Tuesday it will suspend the McClean Lake uranium processing mill in mid-2010, following the halting of nearby uranium projects that were destined to supply it with ore. The mill -- a joint venture of Canada's Denison and France's Areva (CEPFi.PA) -- will continue to process stockpiled uranium until it closes, and should produce 1.86 million pounds of uranium before it goes on "care and maintenance" in July, Denison said.

Denison Mines (DML.TO) said on Tuesday it will suspend the McClean Lake uranium processing mill in mid-2010, following the halting of nearby uranium projects that were destined to supply it with ore. The mill -- a joint venture of Canada's Denison and France's Areva (CEPFi.PA) -- will continue to process stockpiled uranium until it closes, and should produce 1.86 million pounds of uranium before it goes on "care and maintenance" in July, Denison said.

"The future of nuclear energy will have stiff competition with competing green renewable and future novel technologies that have a higher approval rating with the public. There is an especially strong grassroots pro sustainable movement in Calgary that doesn't involve the nuclear energy equation. The question whether the public's disapproval of nuclear energy will force governments that are part of the GNEP to reconsider is likely not a scenario that will come to fruition. With an increasingly energy hungry world, it looks as if nuclear power is here to stay on a local and global level. In time, engineers and scientists may solve the nuclear waste issue and come up with new ways to appease the skeptics who are pro sustainable energy that doesn't involve nuclear. "

Hold on reactor development worries companies, researchers A half-million-dollar investment and a whole lot of hope are keeping All Tool Manufacturing afloat as the nuclear power industry weathers a stormy period in Ontario.

Hold on reactor development worries companies, researchers A half-million-dollar investment and a whole lot of hope are keeping All Tool Manufacturing afloat as the nuclear power industry weathers a stormy period in Ontario.

"Peace River residents occupied the local Alberta Transportation offices Thursday, protesting the department's decision to take down all private property anti-nuclear signs. The six men have been sitting in the lobby since 11 a.m. and say they will keep sitting there until they get answers. Staff brought them coffee. The move is just one more incident in a heated dispute over a nuclear power proposal for the region. Miles McSween, who sat with the protesters most of the day, said the province has been unfairly targeting anti-nuclear signs and suppressing free speech. Any signs along highways on private land are banned, but government contractors "have had to walk over real estate signs in the ditch to get the anti-nuclear signs," he said."

"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 detailed design of a $20-million, longterm management facility to contain historic low-level radioactive waste in Port Hope has been awarded to the joint venture of MMM Group Limited/ Conestoga-Rovers and Associates Limited of Thornhill, ON. "Our goal is the cleanup and safe long-term management of historic low-level radioactive waste in the Port Hope area. This is an important step forward in our commitment to the people in the Port Hope community," Northumberland-Quinte West MP Rick Norlock announced on behalf of the federal government at the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) in Port Hope Monday. "By working collaboratively, we are moving ahead with the procurement phase in a fair and transparent manner." In addition to the detailed design of the long-term waste management facility, the joint venture of MMM Group Limited/ Conestoga-Rovers and Associates Limited will also design the associated supporting infrastructure and plan the remediation of numerous sites throughout the municipality. "

"Civil engineering contractor and construction company Civcon reports that it is nearing the completion of construction at the Mine Waste Solutions (MWS) tailings recovery operation, near Stilfontein, in the North West province. Canadian miner First Uranium contracted Civcon to complete the earthworks, reinforcing, concrete laying and formwork at the operation. The project experienced a slight delay as the North West province had "unexpectedly" withdrawn environmental authorisation for the facility in January, also disrupting plans it had been working on to secure the necessary financing. However, First Uranium reported in February that the environmental authorisation had been reinstated and that it could now concentrate on the process of securing the necessary financing for the construction of this tailings storage facility and begin the ramp-up for future production."

"I was most concerned today to learn of a letter sent out to Peace River businesses by the Peace River Chamber of Commerce urging them to speak out strongly in favour of bringing nuclear power to the region, as is fervently hoped for by the project's proponent, Bruce Power. It also seems odd that this has happened only a couple of days after a visit to Peace River by Premier Ed Stelmach."

"The trackless tundra reaches a fork in the road this weekend as scrutiny begins of a massive uranium mine proposed for a pristine patch of the central Arctic. Sunday night will see the first of two weeks of community meetings in seven Arctic hamlets to set terms for an environmental review of the $1.5-billion Kiggavik project. The mine is proposed for just west of Baker Lake, Nunavut, by French uranium giant Areva. Everyone from federal scientists to Inuit hunters agrees the project could have major impacts on the land and wildlife. And with at least a dozen other major uranium projects in the pipeline for the area, there's agreement that how the Nunavut Impact Review Board balances Kiggavik's effects with the need for jobs will define the so-called barren lands for a generation. "Where do we draw the line?" asked Joan Scottie, a hunter from Baker Lake who has fought uranium development for 20 years."

"I want to correct the false impressions your readers may have been left with regarding radioactive waste. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's (CNSC) mandate is to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment. It includes the licensing, monitoring and inspection of radioactive waste management facilities. Licence conditions state numerous requirements, including rigorous reporting requirements that are in place for the operators of nuclear waste management facilities. CNSC staff verify overall compliance with safety requirements through site inspections and audits to ensure that waste owners and those possessing radioactive wastes treat, handle, manage and store these materials safely and securely."

"Young men from the foothills were exposed to radiation in 1957, not knowing it would make them sick and impact the rest of their lives. Soldiers walk toward a mushroom cloud at a nuclear test site in Nevada in 1957. The 2007 film "Time Bombs" tells the story of 40 Canadian soldiers exposed to radiation during the nuclear testing in the United States. Fifty years later filmmakers in Quebec learned of the soldiers' struggles to find out why the Canadian military subjected them to nuclear testing and to gain financial compensation for their years of illness. The resulting film, called "Time Bombs" was released in 2007 and it will be shown for free at the Legion in Turner Valley on Monday."

"A company's plan to ship radioactive steam generators on the Great Lakes is drawing crticism from Mayor Mike Bradley. Bradley said he's seen no evidence Bruce Power has consulted with communities along the shipping route. The comapny plans to transport 16 generators this fall from its nuclear plant near Kincardine, Ontario, to Owen Sound, Ontario. From there, the generators will be loaded on a ship that will travel the Great Lakes and the St. Clair River en route to a recycler in Sweden. Removing the generators is part of a refurbishment project at the plant near Kincardine, company officials have said. "

"But the most contentious changes would affect environmental impact reviews of thousands of major infrastructure and other development projects every year. Government infrastructure projects would be exempt from the environmental review process altogether. All environmental issues related to new nuclear plants and other major power projects would be left to the federal energy board and nuclear safety regulators. Most of which may not be as ominous as it seems. "

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.

A local anti-nuclear group, Safe and Green Energy Peterborough, will get $37,000 from a federal agency to review its study for the proposed Darlington nuclear plant expansion, the group announced yesterday. "SAGE is extremely proud of this recognition and achievement, as it is a true community group that has been challenging the intent of the Ontario government to expand nuclear supply when the alternatives of renewable energy and conservation are safer, more community oriented and less costly," the group states in a release. John Etches, with Safe and Green Energy, couldn't be reached for comment yesterday. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency participant funding program approved five applications worth a total of $155,927. There were eight applications for a total of $314,242.

A local anti-nuclear group, Safe and Green Energy Peterborough, will get $37,000 from a federal agency to review its study for the proposed Darlington nuclear plant expansion, the group announced yesterday. "SAGE is extremely proud of this recognition and achievement, as it is a true community group that has been challenging the intent of the Ontario government to expand nuclear supply when the alternatives of renewable energy and conservation are safer, more community oriented and less costly," the group states in a release. John Etches, with Safe and Green Energy, couldn't be reached for comment yesterday. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency participant funding program approved five applications worth a total of $155,927. There were eight applications for a total of $314,242.

- The annual telephone survey to gauge public attitudes about the community's low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) clean-up is set to kick-off once again in Port Hope. The Port Hope Area Initiative's (PHAI) eighth annual public attitude survey will get underway in mid-November, said Sue Stickley, communications officer. Every year, the PHAI surveys local residents to get feedback on issues related to the clean-up and safe long-term management of historic low-level radioactive waste in the community. As in past years, individual survey responses are absolutely confidential, but the overall results will be made public. "If you receive a phone call and are invited to take part in the survey, please take a few moments to answer the interviewer's questions," said Ms. Stickley.

- The annual telephone survey to gauge public attitudes about the community's low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) clean-up is set to kick-off once again in Port Hope. The Port Hope Area Initiative's (PHAI) eighth annual public attitude survey will get underway in mid-November, said Sue Stickley, communications officer. Every year, the PHAI surveys local residents to get feedback on issues related to the clean-up and safe long-term management of historic low-level radioactive waste in the community. As in past years, individual survey responses are absolutely confidential, but the overall results will be made public. "If you receive a phone call and are invited to take part in the survey, please take a few moments to answer the interviewer's questions," said Ms. Stickley.

Claims will now top out at $650-million, up from the previous $75-million ceiling If something goes terribly wrong at a nuclear power plant, how much liability should the operator bear? The federal government is introducing a new limit of $650-million for damages that can be claimed from nuclear companies after an accident at one of their stations. The amount represents a massive leap from the previous $75-million ceiling, which anti-nuclear groups called a hidden subsidy. Questions remain, however, as to whether the new amount would cover all the claims due to the psychological trauma of living through such a mishap, the health impacts of being showered with radiation and damage to property.

Claims will now top out at $650-million, up from the previous $75-million ceiling If something goes terribly wrong at a nuclear power plant, how much liability should the operator bear? The federal government is introducing a new limit of $650-million for damages that can be claimed from nuclear companies after an accident at one of their stations. The amount represents a massive leap from the previous $75-million ceiling, which anti-nuclear groups called a hidden subsidy. Questions remain, however, as to whether the new amount would cover all the claims due to the psychological trauma of living through such a mishap, the health impacts of being showered with radiation and damage to property.