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Bruce Power President & CEO joined the ranks of some of the world's most famous people when he spoke on Thursday to the Empire Club in the Royal York in Toronto.

In his address "The Critical decade: Continuing Role of Nuclear Power in Ontario", Hawthorne was critical of the Federal Government's non-support for the nuclear industry.  "France knows exactly what they are going to do right through to 2060 ... it has a long-term vision for its nuclear industry.  You (government) cannot be schizophrenic about the nuclear industry.  I would argue that if Canada sees itself as an energy superpower, it is going to take more than just digging for oil."

Hawthorne went on to explain that 50 per cent of Ontario's power comes from the nuclear industry and, of that, 50 per cent comes from Bruce Power, or 25 per cent of total power.  "If you don't want nuclear power, then fill in the blank with something else.  We are phasing out coal and nuclear represents a high volume, low cost, clean and efficient alternative."

Building partnerships is a key according to Bruce Power's leader.  "We have to have a coalition of support and there cannot be short-term decisions. The nuclear industry is a career for life and it's not made for 'retail politics'."

Hawthorne explained that the company operates CANDU plants and it's a niche technology design that many countries apparently see as an advantage.

"For people that criticize, I would say that there is a role for every type of energy," he added.  When asked about 'third-world' countries and their development of nuclear power, Hawthorne said that one of the main challenges right now is Pakistan.  "The issue is if they decide to make their own fuel.  Normally, with a  new plant anywhere in the world, we would do a start-up review or inspection but we have not been able to do that in Pakistan." 

Hawthorne was recently asked by the Obama government to sit on the board of the Waste Institute for Nuclear Security that has come out of the International Atomic Energy (IAE) out of Vienna.

"After the Chernobyl disaster 25 years ago, we realized that are very strong when we are together," he pointed out.  "We are not the same industry as the one from Chernobyl days.  We have had 60 years of Nuclear experience in Canada and there have been tremendous pioneering initiatives."

While the question of the Atomic Energy Commission (AECL) came up, Hawthorne declined to comment.  Although he said that the Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty, has done a lot to instil confidence in the nuclear industry, he also added that the Federal government had not.  "There has to be meaningful discussion between the Province and the Feds," he added, "if AECL is to be stabilized."

 According to Hawthorne, a decision needs to be made this year.  "In reality, any undertaking in the nuclear industry takes time"  

He also pointed out that many ignore the many achievements and milestones that have made seen in the nuclear industry and, instead, focus on money.  "We have accomplished many firsts with the Bruce site refurbishment.  There were issues that were unforeseen because this kind of thing had never been done before and, therefore, it has taken longer than anticipated and, yes, it did cost more than we projected but that is usually the case when attempting something that is groundbreaking."  

According to one official at the Empire Club meeting, Canada is only of five countries in the world that manufactures CANDU with every single part being made in Canada.  "This is a huge industry that employs 70,000 people in Ontario alone.  If the Federal Government decides to sell AECL, the industry will probably follow the path of the manufacturing sector.  We will lose jobs, talent and high-level skills to the other countries and it will be another economic disaster for the Province and for Canada.  Hopefully, Mr. Harper, is not so focused on just oil that he precludes any other energy source.  From what we've seen so far, it is not looking promising.

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Friday, January 21, 2011