The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is in Saint John to hear both pro and con about the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant. Three days of hearings are underway into an application by NB Power to have the licence to operate the nuclear power station extended for five years.
NB Power’s Vice-President of Nuclear Operations, Brent Plummer argues Lepreau has been good for climate change. He points out in the first 25 years of operation, the nuclear power generated by Point Lepreau has avoided emitting 90 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which is the equivalent of 19 million vehicles on the road.
Plummer told the hearing a two year study concluded the nuclear plant’s cooling water system had minimal impact on fish populations.
Human health and the environment remain protected around the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant. That conclusion was made by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Senior Regulatory Program Officer, Lee Casterton says NB Power will pick up the tab when the plant is decommissioned. The preliminary plan calls for commercial operations to halt in 2040 and the site be made available for other industrial uses by 2081.
The Commission also concluded NB Power has the safety requirements in place should there be a 1 in 10 thousand year earthquake.
