Bad reaction to nuclear power in Alta. oilpatch

CALGARY – Federal Liberal Leader Stephane Dion Friday threw cold water on the use of nuclear energy in the oilpatch and vowed to revisit the oilsands royalty deal.

Speaking to the Calgary Herald editorial board, Dion said nuclear energy is not a viable option for use in Alberta’s oilsands due to lingering concerns about whether its waste can be safely disposed of.

“I have no power to stop a province to do that. It’s provincial jurisdiction,” Dion said. “I am concerned about the waste and I don’t hide my concerns. It is something I would like to see as a debate in Canada.

The debate over nuclear power in Alberta has heated up in recent months as industry and government look for ways to reduce the use of natural gas in the oil-extraction process and slash greenhouse-gas emissions.

Edmonton Journal