The wording of the information and question assumes a conclusion we do not have enough information to make.
OPG is looking at a nuclear development of up to 10,000 MW at Wesleyville, but the final size hasn’t been determined, the reactor technology hasn’t been selected, and the project is still in the federal impact assessment process.
We also don’t have a final cost or a clear answer on the impact on electricity rates.
Given that, I am not comfortable stating as fact that this project “will drive up electricity rates” when we don’t have the actual numbers yet.
That doesn’t mean cost is not a concern. A development of this scale would be an enormous undertaking. Before I could support or oppose it, I would want to see the actual cost, how it would be financed, what ratepayers would be on the hook for, how the inevitable nuclear waste would be handled, what the environmental impacts would be, how long construction would take, and what a project of this size would mean for infrastructure and communities throughout the county.
I would also expect to see a fair comparison of alternatives.
I generally support renewable energy expansion, storage, and energy efficiency, especially when those options can provide electricity faster and more affordably. But Ontario is also expecting electricity demand to increase significantly over the next few decades, and the IESO isn’t planning for a future powered by one thing. Nuclear, renewables, storage, hydro, and energy efficiency all have roles in Ontario’s current long-term planning.
I am not convinced this needs to be an either/or conversation.
Wesleyville is also already owned by OPG, zoned for electricity generation, and located near major transmission infrastructure. So I don’t think looking at nuclear generation there is inherently unreasonable.
However, looking at it and deciding we should spend tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars are two very different things.
This project could have enormous economic, environmental, and infrastructure impacts on Northumberland County for generations. I want the decision to be based on evidence, not assumptions from people who have already decided nuclear is either the greatest idea in the world or the worst.
Once I have a chance to see the actual project, the actual cost, what happens to electricity rates, the environmental impacts, and what alternatives are available, including what they would cost and realistically produce, then I can tell you whether I think nuclear at Wesleyville is a good use of the site.