Energy Minister Todd Smith directs IESO to bypass off-ramp for high-cost Bruce Nuclear re-build
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Todd Smith
By Angela Bischoff, Director of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance
On April 14, 2022 Ontario’s Energy Minister, Todd Smith, directed the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to take a pass on its opportunity to cancel the re-building of two of the Bruce Nuclear Station’s aging reactors despite the fact that energy efficiency, renewables and storage can now keep our lights on at a lower cost.
Background
In 2015 the then Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne, directed the IESO to sign a 49-year contract with Bruce Power for the re-building of six of its eight nuclear reactors.
The Bruce Power contract permits the IESO to cancel the re-building of 4 of the 6 reactors without financial penalty if there are lower cost options to keep our lights on.
As reported by the Globe and Mail on April 15, 2022, a suppressed IESO report reveals that Ontario can reduce its electricity costs by 8% by investing in energy efficiency, energy storage and 5,500 megawatts of new wind power.
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What you can do
Please contact Energy Minister Todd Smith and your MPP, and tell them that you want Ontario to move to a zero-carbon electricity grid and lower electricity bills by investing in energy efficiency and renewables.
Please tell them that it doesn’t make sense to re-build aging nuclear reactors when we have cleaner, safer and lower cost options to keep our lights on.
Thank you for making the time!
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