The Nuclear Power Controversy in Saskatchewan

This evening I attended a public consultation on the topic of nuclear power development in Saskatchewan and I must say it was one of the more interesting experiences I’ve had in a while. With nearly 1000 citizens of Saskatoon and area packed into a small room, there was a strong energy of opposition against the idea of developing nuclear power in Saskatchewan. However, there was notable presence of the polar opposite as well. Both groups voiced their opinions in a strong and powerful fashion.

I have my own view on the situation and it is not one that was presented at this forum by any of the speakers. Perhaps I should have stood up and shared my opinion but I failed to seize the moment and came home and started to write in this blog.

I loved the educated, emotional, and physically engaging speech by Anne Coxworth (PhD in nuclear physics and environmental activist) at this forum. I whole heartedly provided her with a standing ovation and went out of my way to meet her afterwards. However, I failed to hear a solution that would appease the needs of the environment, the investors, the citizens of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Saskatchewan. She only spoke of creating a sustainable environment in generalities as a conclusion. Furthermore, as much as I agreed with the comments of Steve McClennan of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce about how Saskatchewan needs to start manufacturing our resources for the needs/benefit of its own people, I don’t think uranium is one of those resources. As was boldly stated at one point during the forum, I believe that Uranium belongs exactly where it is now...underground. Also, it was clearly stated that the Uranium Development Partnership has no interest in refining ‘yellow cake’ into the product needed as a power source for the proposed plant. So either way we aren’t making the dough here...just harvesting the wheat and then eating the bread.

So you might be wonder why I’m opposed to nuclear power? I’m a scientist, aren’t I? Isn’t this an opportunity for me? Well, that’s not how I see it....So here’s my beef with nuclear power. (I was quite pleased to see most of this within a pamphlet on my chair upon arrival...I was expecting to be convinced that nuclear power was the way to go, instead they reaffirmed my beliefs)

1) The big promotion of nuclear power is that it is ‘clean energy’ with very little carbon imprint. However, those in support of nuclear power fail to mention the carbon imprint elicited from constant uranium mining and milling. They also fail to mention the constant transport of ‘yellow cake’ to uranium refineries and then the subsequent transportation back to a nuclear power plant. They also fail to mention the carbon imprint left by the construction, maintenance/ refurbishing and also the inevitable destruction and decommission of a nuclear power plant in its short forty year lifetime.

2) The storage and disposal of nuclear waste is a continued debate because scientists haven’t come up with a logical solution to the problem. We destructively bury/hide our garbage in landfills without considering the environmental impact. We flush/hide our feces into the sewers without concern. Yet no logical solution can be made for how to flush/bury/hide nuclear waste. It’s a continued debate without a solution...perhaps we should stop producing nuclear waste...

3) Production of effluents, solid matter, and particulate emissions from the nuclear fuel cycle. These include volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and radioactive materials (especially within uranium tailings). We set limits on what is ‘permissible exposure’ and what is ‘potentially harmful’ to humans. Simple solution, stop the nuclear fuel cycle and stop all exposure.

4) I will not argue that nuclear power has lower carbon emissions than coal power, that just simple fact. However, the development of nuclear energy WILL NOT replace coal power in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan has for my entire lifetime relied on coal as the power base load. The insertion of nuclear power within our infrastructure will not change this because nuclear power is not reliable as a base load generator because nuclear reactors are often out of commission and require refurbishing.

5) Everyone leans towards job creation as a HUGE positive. I again can’t argue that the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant would create jobs. However, it is a boom and bust model of job creation. More job creation from the construction than from the operation...leaving 4000 employees (most of which will be under-qualified to work in what they built) out of work. Also, in 40 years the plant will most likely be required to close.

6) The cost of energy produced (per kWh) from nuclear power has not declined since 1980. In that I mean the industry is not becoming more efficient. There are limits to nuclear fission.

7) The global production of energy from nuclear power has increased since 1980 but only with a small linear increase. There is no revolution for nuclear power.

8) Saskatchewan’s energy needs are not expanding quick enough to require the increase of 1000+MW into our grid. That’s enough to power the homes of the current population...but as stated can’t be used as our baseline grid. An expansion of this magnitude just doesn’t make sense.

OK so on to my point...

It is unbelievable what is occurring in countries like Germany with the development of what we call ‘renewable energy’ (I put that in quotes and want to make it clear I don’t mean sustainable). With the implementation of the ‘Law for the Priority of Renewable Energy’ Germany is approaching 25% power generation from wind, solar, geothermics, and biomass. This number is growing EXPONENTIALLY and is expected to approach 100% by 2035. Even more interestingly, a portion of this power is provided by citizens who have taken the initiative to power their own homes and INPUT their excess energy into the grid. Based on the aforementioned law these people who would otherwise be consumers are receiving market value for their energy. HOW IS THIS HAPPENING???!?!? Well Germany has directed funds toward the development of their renewable energy industry. There are several successful wind turbine and photovoltaic cell manufacturers that are producing the products needed to make this conversion directly within the country.

Some stats...

1) The cost of wind and photovoltaic energy / kWh has decreased logarithmically since 1980.

2) The production of energy from wind power and photovoltaic cells has increased exponentially since 1980.

The development of renewable energy has the potential to be comparable to Moore’s law and the development of computer technology. With a bit of simple economic theory application I’ve come up with the following model.

1) technology improves

2) technology increases in demand and distribution

3) corporate interest in the technology increases

4) supply increase

5) cost of technology decreases

6) consumer demands new / more efficient / more powerful technology

7) research boom to create paradigm shift in technology

8) repeat

Any way you cut it, nuclear power isn’t going to enjoy such a series of paradigm shifts. I believe that photovoltaic cells and wind power can and will undergo such a progression. As you are reading this, scientists are working on the next generation of photovoltaic cells that utilize UV and IR (useful at night even)...the beginning of a new paradigm. The flaw that the items developed will not need replaced like computer processor will be alleviated by the undeniable increase in power consumption globally.

Although it is seemingly not agreed upon (most likely for fiscal reasons) it is possible to use hydro as the base line power source in this province. With the expansion of solar and wind power, and the development of an energy storage infrastructure, hydro plants could be maintained as the base line source. The coal plants of Saskatchewan could be closed and our carbon impact would decrease more than 50%. Perhaps this is possible at present date with 12 fold expansion of the wind power infrastructure in Saskatchewan and the utilization of hydro as baseline. Do the math if you want to...I did J.

So as some of you may know, I am fairly opposed to market capitalism and even more so to fiscal conservatism. With that being said, I am going to put that aside and try to solve a problem not by looking at the problem but attempting to create a solution. One that appeases the government by increasing Saskatchewan’s GDP, creates sustainable jobs in the foreseeable future, provides entrepreneurial opportunities for investors, research opportunities for scientists, and is the best net environmental option for Saskatchewan and the entire planet.

Proposition Dan

Provide the world’s top corporations within the photovoltaic and wind turbine manufacturing industry the opportunity to see what Saskatchewan has to offer. A location with sustained wind speeds above the threshold of wind power generators and on average over 2000 hours of clear sky sunlight annually across the southern half of the province.

The Saskatchewan government or other investors should invite companies like Vestas (wind turbine manufacturer from Denmark) and provide the opportunity to expand manufacturing operations to Canada. This companies expansion into the USA has already began with plants in Colorado and Oregon. Give Saskatchewan the opportunity to lead the way for Canada. The wind turbines we purchase for our wind power stations are from Vestas, why not make them here? Last time I checked we already have a steel mill...one that would surely welcome an expansion of business. Saskatchewan could serve as the distribution core for all of Canada and extend beyond our borders, leaving a net global impact. The product developed would have minimal shipment for placement within Saskatchewan and would also allow the utilization of 3.0MW turbines (roughly enough to power Melville)...far beyond the potential of the 90KW towers seen across Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan.

A similar scenario could be extended to the development of solar power manufacturing. Offer opportunities to companies like LDK Solar / Q-Cells AG (German solar cell companies) the opportunity to expand internationally within Saskatchewan. If it better suits investors, invite a Canadian company like Day4 Energy. The utilization of solar power is so minute in Saskatchewan and it isn’t something I thoroughly understand. Yes, I realize snow can covers photovoltaic cells. But if you can train someone to run a nuclear reactor safely, you can probably train someone from Saskatchewan to safely remove snow.

The demand for these products is growing exponentially and the technology continues to develop. Offer sustainable employment opportunities to the people of Saskatchewan and our economy will thrive in the long run. Offer investors the opportunity to ‘cash-in’ on a thriving global industry. Offer Saskatchewan the opportunity to pioneer the age of renewable energy for Canada and North America. Offer the future generations clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and a land base that is as good or better than what we have before us today. In 500 years no one is going to care how much money I made in 2011. They will care if I as a tax payer making an extra dollar today means at some point in the future the people of Saskatchewan can’t drink the water and breathe the air. (semi-quote of Derrick Jensen)

It’s time we start thinking globally and start acting locally....you can start right at your home. Canadian Tire is a supplier of simple wind turbines that can be used at your own home and there are MANY suppliers of simple photovoltaic cells. We have the technology to turn biomass into thermal energy on the farms spread across our province. Saskatchewan has HUGE geothermal potential. Will the government give us the opportunity to put the energy the citizens produce into the Saskatchewan grid? In other words, can the people of Saskatchewan be producers of energy within their own home, rather than consumers?

What will you choose? What will you do to ensure that the government will choose the right path? When will you decide what you want for the future of our province and its people?

The sooner the better...