OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Today I was at Pickering Nuclear Generating station with a few of my co-conspirators as the Energy Minister announced further life extension for Pickering, through to September of 2026, which was nice to hear, but the big news:
The Ontario government has directed OPG to perform a feasibility study on the refurbishment and continued operation of Pickering B, which could see the plant run through to 2075.
Official link to OPG's news:
And a quote:
The government used many of the talking points from our report, which felt really good to hear them embrace.
While it's a bit too early to truly celebrate this as a total victory (we need to wait for the assessment and the work to commence), the fact that this is even being considered now is a victory, as we'd previously been told that OPG had "moved on" from Pickering.
The mood at the plant is predictably elevated as the news of its continued operation and potential refurbishment spread.
The Ontario government has directed OPG to perform a feasibility study on the refurbishment and continued operation of Pickering B, which could see the plant run through to 2075.
Official link to OPG's news:
And a quote:
The Province has also asked OPG to conduct a feasibility assessment on the potential for refurbishing Units 5 – 8. Over the next year, we will conduct a comprehensive technical examination and hope to submit a final recommendation to the Province by the end of 2023.
In 2009, OPG reviewed the environmental and safety case for refurbishing Units 5 – 8, and although there was community support for the refurbishment, a decision was made to not pursue the project due to the challenging economics, stagnant electricity demand, and anticipated supply chain issues and costs.
We have learned a lot about refurbishment since 2009 and through our Darlington project, which remains on time and on budget, and will apply these learnings to our feasibility assessment of Pickering.
The government used many of the talking points from our report, which felt really good to hear them embrace.
While it's a bit too early to truly celebrate this as a total victory (we need to wait for the assessment and the work to commence), the fact that this is even being considered now is a victory, as we'd previously been told that OPG had "moved on" from Pickering.
The mood at the plant is predictably elevated as the news of its continued operation and potential refurbishment spread.