Thousands show support for Pickering 2024 decision

PICKERING, ON, Feb. 22, 2017 /CNW/ - In just over a month, 10,000 Ontarians voiced their support of the Ontario Government's decision to operate Pickering to 2024 as a key element of Ontario's Long-Term Energy (LTEP).

"On Jan. 11, we marked the one-year anniversary of the Wynne Government's announcement to operate Pickering to 2024 as a key source of low-cost electricity for Ontario families and businesses," said David Shier, National Director of the Canadian Nuclear Workers' Council (CNWC). "Given the active debate on electricity issues in the Province, it was important to mark this occasion and remind the public of the benefits from this decision, while also demonstrating the strong support for the Pickering 2024 vision."

This is in addition to a recent poll conducted finding 69 per cent of decided Ontarians support the operation of Pickering to 2024.

The benefits of Pickering 2024 include:

• Reliable power for 1.5 million homes a day around the clock.
• Low-cost electricity that is 30 per cent less than the average residential price, which will save ratepayers $600 million if it was to be replaced by alternate sources.
• Carbon-free energy, which avoids 17 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, keeping our air clean.
• Ratepayers benefiting from avoided costs under cap and trade pricing by using clean Pickering nuclear. Between 2017 and '24, Pickering will avoid between $1.3 billion and $1.8 billion in cap and trade costs that ratepayers would have to fund if this output was to be replaced by fossil fuels.
• Innovative health care uses, producing 20 per cent of the world's Cobalt-60.

The Pickering 2024 website (www.pickering2024.com) was launched by the CNWC to illustrate the deep support for the continued operation of Pickering until 2024 as part of the LTEP, as well as low-cost, safe and reliable nuclear electricity.

"The Wynne Government made this decision after conducting an in-depth cost-benefit analysis of all electricity options in the province," Shier said. "Pickering Nuclear supports the continued reliability of Ontario's electricity system, the life-extension programs at Darlington and Bruce Power, the delivery of the province's near-term climate change commitments, and the assurance that electricity customers receive the full benefit of this provincially owned asset."

Shier said the operation of Pickering to 2024 will save Ontario electricity consumers $600 million and will generate low-cost electricity while reliably providing 3,100 megawatts of carbon-free power, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

About the Canadian Nuclear Workers' Council
The Canadian Nuclear Workers' Council, founded in 1993, is an umbrella organization of Unions representing workers in all sectors of the Canadian nuclear industry. Represented sectors include electric power utilities, uranium mining and processing, radioisotope production for medical and industrial purposes and nuclear research.

SOURCE Canadian Nuclear Workers' Council

David Shier, National Director, Canadian Nuclear Workers Council, 705-725-3902, [email protected]