Environmental group protests the nuclear plant
Peace River Environmental Society questions economic benefit and ecological effect
Justin Pot / R-G Staffwriter
Tuesday September 11, 2007
It’s Wednesday afternoon. Inside the Peace Valley Inn’s Emerald Room representatives from Energy Alberta are handing out pamphlets and talking to citizens about their concerns regarding the proposed nuclear power plant. A Power Point presentation loops on a white screen, tables are arrayed with information and refreshments as the representatives make the rounds, talking to everyone who comes in.
Meanwhile, protesters hold homemade signs and hand out photocopied fliers just outside the door.
“There’s always one or two,” said one of the Energy Alberta representatives, his voice respectably lacking any disdain.
The protesters, members of the Peace River Environmental Society, are concerned about the potential power plant on both ecological and economical levels. While local councils expressed support for the plant on numerous occasions, this group hopes to make it clear that is not the view of all citizens.
“It’s short sighted,” said Wanda Laurin, “We’re back to square one in 40 to 50 years. Let’s invest in alternatives instead.”
Amongst the information inside was a cardboard package containing a 1 by 2cm pellet, with text explaining that if that pellet were uranium it could provide as much energy as 807 kilograms of coal, 677.2 litres of oil or 476 cubic metres of gas.
While those outside acknowledged that nuclear power gives off fewer emissions than these other sources of power, they were quick to say that that does not make it a step forward.
“It’s a step sideways,” said Geri France. “Long after the oil sands are gone, long after the plant is decommissioned, we’ll still be paying for the storage (of the nuclear waste).
“It’s economics, so far as I’m concerned.”
The group also questions the motivation for the plant. According to Energy Alberta, 75 percent of the energy produced will be sold to one customer -- the company refused to reveal who this client is.
The protesters suspect this means the energy is going to be used in the oil sands. “They’re just doing it to extract gas and oil faster,” said Louise Alm.
What alternatives do these protesters propose? That the government invest the money it is currently putting into nuclear plants into alternative energies, such as wind or solar. Also, citizens need to be more careful to conserve their energy.
Examples of saving energy mentioned include never leaving lights on unnecessarily, not consuming more goods than you need and avoiding use of electric dryers as much as possible.
Laurin says she uses her clothes line straight through winter in an attempt to conserve. “The house gets pretty humid,” said Laurin, “My husband has gone so far as to buy a dehumidifier.”
The group’s members were at a loss for what they were supposed to do to make their voice heard.
“The thing is, Energy Alberta has time to present their point of view. It’s their job,” said Laurin, “We’re doing this in our spare time.” Alm said that she had to find childcare in order to make time to attend the protest.
At the same time, protesters were more than willing to go inside and check out Energy Alberta’s information.
“We had a very good conversation,” said France, “He (the representative) was very helpful.”
Since the plant’s announcement, France attempted to stay informed about the positives and negatives of nuclear power. Upon reflection, she admitted that her opinion comes mostly from her gut.
“Maybe I’m justifying my gut reaction by finding the right information,” said France.
But it’s not as though her gut reaction is without cause. A daughter-in-law of hers grew up near Chernobyl, the infamous site of the Soviet nuclear meltdown. France admits her apprehensions may be related to that, even if she knows that 1980s Soviet nuclear technology is very different than the Candu reactor in 2007.
There was a noticeable lack of anger amongst the protesters. People who grabbed information from inside were quick to ask the protesters for any information they might have, and the protesters had their photocopied fliers ready.
France said it was inevitable for something like nuclear power to stir emotions, and everyone should simply try to become as informed as they can.
The group has invited Heinz Jurgen-Peter, a nuclear physicist from the University of Alberta, and Sierra Club of Grand Prairie Chapter Sierra Club Leila Darwish to speak at Grimshaw’s New Horizon Drop-In Centre tonight at 7. All are invited.
