Tom Mitchell, president and CEO of Ontario Power Generation, urged Canada’s nuclear industry not to retreat in the face of renewed public skepticism in an address Thursday to several hundred Ottawa delegates at the Canadian Nuclear Association’s annual conference. Photograph by: Pat McGrath , The Ottawa Citizen
by Ian Macleod / The Ottawa Citizen / February 23, 2012 /
OTTAWA — With the approaching anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster as a backdrop, Ontario’s top energy executive is urging Canada’s nuclear industry not to retreat in the face of renewed public skepticism.
“While other jurisdictions may be scaling back their nuclear energy commitment because of Fukushima, we are not,” Tom Mitchell, president and CEO of Ontario Power Generation (OPG), declared in an address Thursday to several hundred Ottawa delegates at the Canadian Nuclear Association’s annual conference.
Nations around the world are reconsidering plans for increased reliance on nuclear power, while others, such as Germany, have vowed to pull the plug on nuclear power altogether as a result of Fukushima.
But instead of retrenching, Mitchell told the crowd that the worst nuclear accident in 25 years has given the industry, “a great opportunity.
“It’s once again made people aware of nuclear energy. It may have put some aspects of the industry on the spot. But it’s also put us in the spotlight.”
OPG owns and operates 10 CANDU reactors at the Darlington and Pickering nuclear stations, and Mitchell said the public utility is pressing ahead with plans to refurbish and to expand Darlington.
Other Nuclear Industry News:
France, China can learn from Fukushima: French minister – Expatica.com
PG&E CEO Expects California Reactor Licenses Will Be Extended – Bloomberg
Singh sees US hand in nuclear protests – The Telegraph India
The Nuclear Industry’s Answer to Its Marketplace Woes – GreenTechMedia
Decision soon on new SA nuclear power station – ESI-Africa.com
Nuclear industry leaders to discuss improving safety on summit sideline – The Korea Herald
