Another Public Nuclear Meeting, More Frustration
“I appreciate the opportunity to point out that there certainly will be expertise on hand to answer questions that the public may have at the consultation process that’s going to criss-cross this province.” – Former Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart, May 14, 2009 in Hansard
More people seeking answers on nuclear power came away frustrated following the second public hearing in Estevan last night. Regina Rosemont MLA Trent Wotherspoon, who attended the meeting, said two main themes dominated the meeting; people wanted experts on hand to answer their questions and they were disappointed with the lack of alternative energy options to compare nuclear to.
“The Sask Party government promised there would be experts on hand to answer technical questions,” Wotherspoon said. “There is no one at these meetings who can offer any answers on nuclear power. Now the government is refusing to even answer questions on why it broke its word. People from across the southeast corner of the province came to get answers last night. They left with even more questions.”
Wotherspoon said several people at the meeting in Estevan wanted to see a comparison of other energy options so they could make informed decisions.
“This is something the NDP has been saying all along,” Wotherspoon said. “We need to be looking at wind, solar, geothermal, clean coal and hydro as well so we’re not being asked to decide on nuclear power in a vacuum.”
The NDP has asked the Sask Party government to put the same resources into studying other forms of energy than it has allocated to nuclear power. So far, that request has fallen on deaf ears.
“For some reason, the Sask Party government is rushing this process,” Wotherspoon said. “Ten days is not enough time to study an issue of this magnitude, especially when you don’t provide all the information. It was noted by some producers, who attended the meeting last night, that a consultation process during spring seeding might be an attempt to stifle debate.”
More people seeking answers on nuclear power came away frustrated following the second public hearing in Estevan last night. Regina Rosemont MLA Trent Wotherspoon, who attended the meeting, said two main themes dominated the meeting; people wanted experts on hand to answer their questions and they were disappointed with the lack of alternative energy options to compare nuclear to.
“The Sask Party government promised there would be experts on hand to answer technical questions,” Wotherspoon said. “There is no one at these meetings who can offer any answers on nuclear power. Now the government is refusing to even answer questions on why it broke its word. People from across the southeast corner of the province came to get answers last night. They left with even more questions.”
Wotherspoon said several people at the meeting in Estevan wanted to see a comparison of other energy options so they could make informed decisions.
“This is something the NDP has been saying all along,” Wotherspoon said. “We need to be looking at wind, solar, geothermal, clean coal and hydro as well so we’re not being asked to decide on nuclear power in a vacuum.”
The NDP has asked the Sask Party government to put the same resources into studying other forms of energy than it has allocated to nuclear power. So far, that request has fallen on deaf ears.
“For some reason, the Sask Party government is rushing this process,” Wotherspoon said. “Ten days is not enough time to study an issue of this magnitude, especially when you don’t provide all the information. It was noted by some producers, who attended the meeting last night, that a consultation process during spring seeding might be an attempt to stifle debate.”
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