CRED-NB, along with 80 groups across Canada, is asking the federal government to withdraw the appointment of the new president of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). We signed the letter because it seems clear that the new CNSC prez has very strong ties to the industry he’s now tasked with regulating. The letter and media release are HERE.
Organizers are asking individuals in support of this request to contact your Member of Parliament to register your concern.
Since our coalition formed four years ago, CRED-NB has been vocal in our opposition to the two new nuclear projects planned for the Point Lepreau site on the Bay of Fundy. One of the projects, ARC-100, is currently undergoing a provincial environmental impact assessment. Read our info page about the project HERE.
This week there were several news reports indicating that the ARC project is in trouble. CRED-NB core member Susan O’Donnell writes about the situation today in the NB Media Co-op, HERE.
The House of Commons standing committee on natural resources is conducting a study on Canada’s electricity grid and network. CRED-NB submitted a brief for the study that will be considered when the committee drafts its final report to Parliament. Our brief is HERE.
We have three main recommendations:
1) Canada should use the fastest and most affordable pathway to a zero GHG emission power grid in Canada: replacing fossil fuel-fired generation solely with renewable energy sources complemented by energy storage, transmission interties and demand-side management.
2) Canada should minimize the time and resources spent on developing new nuclear reactors, especially risky new experimental reactors, as they are not required to build a zero GHG emission energy grid in Canada.
3) All federal funding for research and development of new nuclear reactors and all grid energy technologies should be moved to government research granting agencies.
CRED-NB is encouraging other groups and individuals to also submit briefs for this study. Our brief could provide a template. The link to the study is HERE.
Energy storage plays a key role in helping wind and solar power dominate the growth in electrical grid capacity. Storage includes batteries or other systems that hold energy until it’s needed. With adequate storage, the New Brunswick electrical grid no longer needs energy sources such as natural gas that emits greenhouse gases (GHGs) or risky and expensive nuclear power.
Read the full article in the NB Media Co-op by CRED-NB’s Tom McLean, HERE.
CRED-NB is pleased to participate in an information-sharing workshop in Fredericton presented by the NS Voice of Women for Peace. This activity is part of their journey to Ottawa to join with peace and social justice groups from across Canada to protest CANSEC, the largest annual weapons trade show in Canada.
At the event, CRED-NB will share information on the links between the civilian nuclear industry, including in Canada and New Brunswick, and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
The workshop, entitled Demilitarize, Decarbonize, Decolonize, will be held in Fredericton at Conserver House, 180 St. John Street, on Saturday, May 25 from 7 to 8 PM.
On April 23, CRED-NB core member Tom McLean presented our vision of a nuclear-free renewable energy future as part of the Atlantic Canada Climate network speaker series. In the video, Tom describes how New Brunswick can meet its future energy needs with renewable energy and storage technologies. Watch the video:
In our submission to the New Brunswick Energy & Utilities Board (EUB), CRED-NB urges the EUB to require that NB Power validates its demand for higher power rates by taking proactive, economically and environmentally responsible action to improve its overall performance while reducing greenhouse gas emissions to address the climate emergency in the years leading to 2030. We submit 11 improvement strategies that can help NB Power achieve its prime requirements and advancements at the lowest cost, in the least time, and with greatest benefit. Read our submission HERE.
CRED-NB core member Tom McLean will be presenting CRED-NB’s vision of a nuclear-free renewable energy future on Tuesday, April 23 at 1 PM by zoom. The event, part of the Atlantic Canada Climate network speaker series, will describe how New Brunswick can meet its future energy needs with renewable energy and storage technologies. Register HERE for “Balancing the Conversation: Nuclear-free Renewable Energy Futures with CRED-NB.”
CRED-NB is one of 17 groups involved in a lobby on Parliament Hill with awareness-raising events for the public in Ottawa, starting on April 29. This will be our group’s second time on the Hill and we’re looking forward to it. Here’s the public events schedule: https://stop-smrs.weebly.com/not-nuclear.html
One of the Ottawa events is a webinar open to all: May 1, 8 PM Atlantic, CRED-NB core member Susan O’Donnell will speak on a panel at the Public Forum: Canada’s Nuclear Future – Renaissance or Relic? Register HERE for an Eventbrite ticket – the zoom link will follow closer to the date.
CRED-NB is one of 28 organizations signatory to a letter to the Atlantic premiers and the Prime Minister today (April 10) asking for action to ensure a healthy energy system. The letter says it’s time for Atlantic Canada to halt new LNG, shale, and fossil fuel projects and put the well-being of our people and our region before short-term corporate gains. Read the full letter HERE.