Lobbying by the nuclear industry is a key reason why the industry attains so many public subsidies. An analysis of the federal lobby database shows just how powerful the nuclear lobby is. In New Brunswick, CBC reporter Jacques Poitras wrote an article this week about lobbying activity for the proposed nuke projects for the province, in particular by well-connected Liberal party people. As CRED-NB spokesperson Susan O’Donnell says in the article: “It’s a club.” You can read the article here.
Tag: CRED-NB Action
Webinar: Ending the global security threats of nuclear power
Webinar: Ending the global security threats of nuclear power: Lessons from the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
3 – 4:30pm Eastern • Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Everyone is welcome to join this international panel session to learn about the links between nuclear power, SMRs, global security and nuclear weapons. Lots to learn! This event is free and open to the public.
Register to attend this international panel session (zoom link + reminder will be sent to registered participants):
https://unbvirtualclasses.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Gv5APIANQYOU2h5bYAZBvQ
Hosts: Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick (CRED-NB) + Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) + Beyond Nuclear + NB Media Co-op
Synopsis: Through considerable organizing by civil society, the dream of a Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) comes into force on January 22. The effort involved challenging existing claims about the value of nuclear weapons, creating a new narrative centered on human security, building new alliances between civil society and governments, and using international law and institutions to drive change.
Can these approaches help tackle the strong but subtle link between nuclear power and nuclear weapons, halt emerging programs to build so-called small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), and finally end the reckless pursuit of nuclear energy programs worldwide.
Panel
Ray Acheson, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom: The keys to the success of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)
What were the TPNW campaign approaches, messaging and tactics? What are the lessons that can inform a similar effort to ban nuclear power?
Zia Mian, physicist, Senior Research Scholar and Co-Director, Program in Science and Global Security (SGS), Princeton University: The limits of the nuclear proliferation management approach. How have we tried to understand and manage the global security risks from nuclear power? What are the limits of the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty and supply side controls, and the challenges of the existing nuclear power international order? Is there a link between nuclear energy and the TPNW?
David Lowry, Senior International Research Fellow, Institute for Resource and Security Studies, Cambridge, Massachusetts (but based in London, England): Next-generation nuclear reactors and the maintenance of military nuclear programs. How are new nuclear reactors tied to military nuclear programs through naval nuclear reactors? What are examples from the promotion of SMRs in the UK?
Gordon Edwards, President, Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility: Added proliferation dangers from next-generation nuclear power. What is ominous about the next generation nuclear energy fuel chain (SMRs, increased fuel enrichment level, reprocessing…), and its links to nuclear weapons? What is needed to break the proliferation chain, and create a stable energy framework compatible with a nuclear weapons-free world?
Register to attend this international panel session (zoom link + reminder will be sent to registered participants):
https://unbvirtualclasses.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Gv5APIANQYOU2h5bYAZBvQ
Proposed nuclear reactors for New Brunswick debunked [audio]
The nuclear industry’s latest plan for more public funding – small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) – was featured today on Redeye, the Vancouver Co-op radio current affairs program. Host Jane Williams interviewed Susan O’Donnell from the RAVEN project at the University of New Brunswick and member of CRED-NB. Listen to the broadcast (16 minutes) on the video below.
National statement by groups opposed to public funding of new nuclear reactors
Dear friends and colleagues:
The Canadian government is funding private-sector nuclear companies to develop new nuclear reactors (small modular nuclear reactors – SMRs). To slow down the funding and fight for a renewable energy future, the national no-SMR action group brings together groups across Canada.
More than 100 public interest, Indigenous and civil society groups have signed on to a national statement. All express their common desire for governments to stop funding more nuclear technologies.
If you below to a group that has not yet signed on, please ask your group to endorse this statement (below) and share this message widely in your networks.
The national no-SMR action group is sharing the statement with the list of endorsing groups in our media releases and letters to government representatives. The statement demonstrates the strength of support across Canada for a renewable energy future, and our common desire to eliminate funding for new nuclear technologies.
The statement is hosted by the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA).
Click here to read and endorse the statement
You will see the the sign-on option to add your group’s name to endorse the statement.
For more information about the national fight to stop SMRs, visit:
www.stop-smrs.ca
Thank you for your solidarity,
CRED-NB, a member of the national no-SMRs action group
CRED-NB advocates for a nuclear-free renewable energy future (media release)
ROTHESAY – The Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick (CRED-NB) is dismayed at today’s announcement by the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development to establish New Brunswick as a hub for so-called small modular nuclear reactors. (SMRs).
The Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick (CRED-NB) advocates for our province to be a leader in Canada in the development of innovation in renewable energy and storage technologies.
Investing in new nuclear energy (SMRs) is a big step backwards, it’s old-school thinking. It’s also a bad investment not based on evidence. Research shows there is no market for SMRs in Canada.
The ARC Nuclear and Moltex Energy SMR prototypes, still early in their design phase, are in direct competition with each other for funding, with only possible success of completion sometime during the next decade.
Both are in competition with 20 other SMR prototypes in Canada, as well as with many other prototypes in other countries. The possibility that either unit in New Brunswick to be successful is very small, but the risks to our environment and the cost involved are very big.
SMRs are a poor investment for New Brunswick and Canada to be involved in when the climate emergency requires immediate action. Renewable energy from various sources can be expanded; combined with energy storage and improving efficiency they can and will meet the energy needs for New Brunswick during this decade and the next while reducing GHG emissions.
The Moltex reactor alone will cost more than $2 billion to develop. Where will that money come from? There are no private investors for this risky technology.
The Bricklin fiasco was bad but it was only money lost. CRED-NB views SMRs as worse than the Bricklin. They are dirty, dangerous distractions from reaching our climate targets.
The proposed nuclear reactors will take more than a decade to develop and will contribute nothing to lowering our GHG emissions by 2030 while at the same time they will generate new forms of toxic radioactive waste.
Today in the Legislature, the Green Party stood alone to raise concerns about SMRs. We thank them for raising these important concerns that the other parties are ignoring.
CRED-NB belongs to a national network of groups that share our opposition to federal funding for prototype nuclear reactors. Read our statement here: https://cela.ca/statement-on-small-modular-reactors/
—
Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New BrunswickPO Box 4561 • Rothesay • New Brunswick • Canada • E2E 5X3
Des groupes environnementaux, trois partis d’opposition et les Premières Nations dénoncent tous l’appui d’Ottawa pour financer les futurs réacteurs nucléaires
Les PRM n’ont pas leur place dans un plan d’action sur le climat. Nous sommes dans une situation d’urgence climatique.
Click here for the English version.
Des groupes environnementaux, trois partis d’opposition et les Premières Nations dénoncent tous l’appui d’Ottawa pour financer les futurs réacteurs nucléaires
OTTAWA, le 18 novembre 2020 – Des groupes de partout au Canada ont dénoncé ce matin la décision du gouvernement fédéral de financer la mise au point de petits réacteurs nucléaires modulaires (PRM) encore expérimentaux. Ottawa devrait plutôt investir dans les énergies renouvelables et dans l’efficacité énergétique qui sont bien plus utiles pour régler la crise climatique, disent-ils.
Ressources naturelles Canada a annoncé qu’il lancerait le 18 novembre, lors d’une conférence de l’industrie, le plan d’action du gouvernement en matière de PRM. Toutefois, le lancement a été reporté. Le plan d’action PRM est une stratégie visant à financer et à soutenir le développement de réacteurs nucléaires expérimentaux par des entreprises du secteur privé, dont la majorité est basée aux États-Unis et au Royaume-Uni.
Des douzaines d’organisations, d’un océan à l’autre, soutiennent que ces futurs réacteurs nucléaires ne sont qu’une « distraction polluante et dangereuse » qui est inefficace contre la crise climatique. Parmi ces organisations il y a Greenpeace Canada, les Amis de la Terre Canada, le Ralliement contre la pollution radioactive, Équiterre, la Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick et le Regroupement pour la surveillance du nucléaire.
Le Bloc québécois, le NPD et le Parti vert ont aussi dénoncé ce plan d’action du gouvernement sur les petits réacteurs nucléaires modulaires. En décembre 2018, une Assemblée spéciale des chefs de l’Assemblée des Premières Nations avait adopté à l’unanimité une résolution demandant « que le gouvernement du Canada cesse de financer et d’appuyer le programme des petits réacteurs nucléaires modulaires » (Résolution 62).
Dans un communiqué diffusé le 13 novembre par la députée Monique Pauzé, le Bloc Québécois a dénoncé « l’intention d’Ottawa d’investir dans l’énergie nucléaire au profit –encore– d’une filière industrielle ontarienne plutôt que de financer la transition vers l’électricité propre. Le Bloc demande l’abandon du déploiement prévu de petits réacteurs nucléaires modulaires. Le fédéral conduit le Canada vers un mur en misant sur le nucléaire comme forme d’énergie propre, ce qu’il n’est absolument pas. »
Le porte-parole du NPD en matière de ressources naturelles, Richard Cannings, a déclaré dans un communiqué : « Plusieurs Canadiens sont préoccupés des répercussions néfastes de l’énergie nucléaire. En ce qui concerne la production d’énergie, il existe d’autres voies à privilégier. Nous disposons d’options plus sûres et moins coûteuses qui seront prêtes à utiliser plus rapidement. Je pense que nous devrions appuyer le développement de solutions de stockage d’énergie pour favoriser la généralisation d’énergies renouvelables telles que le solaire et l’éolien. »
Le 10 novembre, les trois membres du caucus du Parti vert du Canada ont publié une déclaration et signé une lettre adressée au ministre O’Regan et au ministre Navdeep Bains disant que : «Les petits réacteurs nucléaires modulaires n’ont pas leur place dans un plan visant à atténuer les changements climatiques alors qu’il existe déjà des solutions plus propres et moins coûteuses. Le gouvernement fédéral doit cesser de financer l’industrie nucléaire et rediriger ses investissements vers des solutions plus intelligentes. Le nucléaire échoue à divers égards, notamment sur le plan économique. »
La professeure Susan O’Donnell de la Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick affirme que : « La construction de nouveaux réacteurs nucléaires ne devrait pas faire partie d’un plan d’action contre le réchauffement climatique. Des chercheurs émérites ont démontré qu’investir dans l’énergie renouvelable est la meilleure façon d’atteindre zéro émission et qu’ajouter l’énergie nucléaire dans l’ensemble de solutions nuit plutôt que d’améliorer. »
Selon Shawn-Patrick Stensil, directeur des programmes à Greenpeace Canada, « le gouvernement libéral jette son argent par la fenêtre. On nous répète depuis quarante ans que les hypothétiques nouvelles technologies nucléaires vont tout régler et cela ne s’est jamais produit, malgré des subventions publiques massives. »
Les réacteurs qu’on nous propose sont encore sur la planche à dessin et il faudra au moins une décennie pour les mettre au point. Si on les construit, leur électricité coûtera dix fois plus cher que l’énergie éolienne ou solaire. Le projet de petits réacteurs nucléaires modulaires le plus avancé à ce jour, aux États-Unis, a vu doubler son coût, passant de 3 milliards de dollars à plus de 6 milliards de dollars.
Le gouvernement fédéral a annoncé une première subvention pour les petits réacteurs nucléaires modulaires de 20 millions de dollars à Terrestrial Energy le 15 octobre dernier.
Les députés et les groupes environnementaux sont choqués de voir le gouvernement financer un nouveau développement de l’énergie nucléaire sans examen parlementaire, tout en essayant d’éviter l’examen et le débat publics. Ils ont qualifié de « simulacre » la consultation qui a précédé le Plan d’action des PRM. Les individus et les groupes ne pouvaient commenter le plan que s’ils souscrivaient d’abord à une déclaration de principes soutenant les technologies des petits réacteurs nucléaires modulaires.
L’énergie nucléaire et les mines d’uranium seront toujours polluantes et dangereuses. Les déchets radioactifs devront être isolés de la biosphère pour des milliers d’années, et il n’y a aucune façon connue de le faire en pratique.
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Media Contacts: Contacts pour les médias:
| Susan O’Donnell 506-261-1727 susanodo.unb@gmail.com | Ginette Charbonneau ginettech@hotmail.ca 514-246-6439 |
| Eva Schacherl 613-316-9450 evaschacherl@gmail.com | Gilles Provost artscience@videotron.ca 514-523-5704 |
CRED-NB and national groups to the Prime Minister: stop funding new nuclear reactors
A network of groups across the country including CRED-NB sent a letter to the Prime Minister asking that any further government commitment to the development of small modular nuclear reactors must be put on hold and a process established to permit Canadians to have their say and evaluate the economic, societal and environmental cases for and against nuclear energy expansion.
You can read the letter here:
www.ccnr.org/SMR_Letter_to_PM_Nov_5_2020.pdf
The letter is accompanied by a media release from Oct. 20 explaining why the new nuclear reactors are “Dirty Dangerous Distraction”:
www.ccnr.org/SMR_DDD_Media_Oct_20_2020.pdf
Debunking the myths about SMRs
The video of the Beyond Nuclear webinar held Oct. 21 is available on our website, the Videos tab. Experts from Canada and the US discuss the common myths about SMRs and offer research and evidence to clear up misconceptions. CRED-NB and the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) were co-hosts of this event.
“Next generation” nuclear reactors are a dirty, dangerous distraction from tackling the climate crisis
Groups say federal funding of new nuclear reactors is a “dirty, dangerous distraction” from tackling climate change
Ottawa, October 20, 2020 — Public interest groups across Canada are criticizing the federal government for funding small nuclear reactor development and are challenging the government to release the research and data that support its strategy.
Ministers Seamus O’Regan and Navdeep Bains last week announced a $20 million grant to Terrestrial Energy in Ontario to continue developing a molten salt reactor. More funding announcements for new nuclear reactors are expected in the coming weeks.
The federal funding for new nuclear energy is opposed by groups from BC to New Brunswick, including the West Coast Environmental Law Association, Friends of the Earth Canada, Greenpeace Canada, Canadian Environmental Law Association, Environmental Defence, Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick, Coalition for a Clean Green Saskatchewan, Concerned Citizens of Manitoba, Northwatch, Sierra Club Canada Foundation, Ralliement contre la pollution radioactive, Équiterre and the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility.
The groups say “next generation” nuclear reactors are a dirty, dangerous distraction from tackling the climate crisis. Nuclear energy is not green, not clean, too costly and too slow to build.
The groups charge that the federal government is trying to save the nuclear industry rather than saving the environment and protecting health.
The groups say that:
SMR development is too slow to address the climate crisis:
The 2020 World Nuclear Industry Status Report says that developing new nuclear energy is too slow to address the climate crisis – as well as more expensive – compared to renewable energy and energy efficiency. No SMRs have yet been built and the models being proposed will take a decade or more to develop.
SMRs are more expensive than renewable energy:
A Canadian study found that energy from small nuclear reactors would be up to ten times the cost of renewable energy. In the past decade, the cost of building solar, wind power and battery storage has gone down dramatically, while the cost of building new nuclear reactors has gone up. Small reactors will be even more expensive per unit of power than the current large ones.
Nuclear power creates fewer jobs than renewable energy:
Renewable energy is one of the fastest-growing job sectors in North America. An American study found that solar energy leads to six times as many jobs as nuclear power for each gigawatt-hour of electricity generated.
There are better sources of energy:
Minister O’Regan has said repeatedly, without providing evidence, that there is no path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions without nuclear energy. In fact, on the contrary a new study of 123 countries over 25 years found that countries that invested in renewable energy lowered their carbon emissions much more than those reliant on nuclear energy.
SMRs are dirty and dangerous:
The new “small” reactors, proposed to be built across Canada, will produce radioactive waste of many kinds. Some of the proposed models would extract plutonium from irradiated fuel, worsening concerns about weapons proliferation and creating new forms of radioactive waste that are especially dangerous to manage. The federal government currently has no detailed policy or strategy for what to do with radioactive waste, and no design or location for a deep underground repository where industry proposes to store high-level radioactive waste for hundreds of thousands of years.
The federal government has never consulted the public about small modular reactors, which would create environmental risks and financial liabilities for Canadians.
Public Interest Groups Opposing SMR Funding:
Action Climat Outaouais (Que.)
Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility
Canadian Environmental Law Association
Citizens’ Network on Waste Management (Ont.)
Coalition Against Nuclear Dumps on the Ottawa River (Ont.)
Coalition for a Clean Green Saskatchewan
Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick
Committee for Future Generations (Sask.)
Concerned Citizens of Manitoba
Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area (Ont.)
Environmental Defence
Équiterre
Extinction Rebellion New Brunswick
Friends of the Earth Canada
Greenpeace Canada
The Inter-Church Uranium Committee Educational Cooperative (Sask.)
Leap4Wards, Saint John, NB
MiningWatch Canada
Northwatch
Nova Scotia Voice of Women for Peace
Old Fort William Cottagers’ Association (Que.)
Ontario Clean Air Alliance
Ralliement contre la pollution radioactive (Que.)
RAVEN project at the University of New Brunswick
Saint John Chapter of Council of Canadians
Sierra Club Canada Foundation
Sustainable Energy Group, New Brunswick
VOICES for Sustainable Environments and Communities (N.B.)
West Coast Environmental Law Association (B.C.)
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Media contacts:
| Kerrie Blaise
Tel: 416-960-2284 ext 7224 |
Eva Schacherl
613-316-9450 |
Request to NB party leaders to publicly support a public consultation on radioactive waste
Today CRED-NB wrote to the leaders of all the registered political parties in the province, asking them to publicly declare their support for a public consultation on radioactive waste in New Brunswick.