SaskPower shares results of SMR public engagement
SaskPower has released the results and feedback from a public engagement tour centered on the potential use of small modular reactors in Saskatchewan.
Over 1,400 people were reached through in-person and online activities, the Crown corporation outlined in its report.
The province’s current SMR plan has outlined two potential sites for the reactors.
The Estevan and Elbow regions were found to be ideally close to a suitable water supply, existing power infrastructure and workforce.
According to SaskPower, the focus of the engagements was to learn about local interests and priorities while informing the public and answering questions.
ELBOW STUDY AREA
In the Elbow study area, drop-in events were held in Outlook, Lucky Lake, Central Butte and in Elbow itself.
Residents emphasized the importance of Lake Diefenbaker for supplying much of the province with drinking water, while also being a draw for tourism and the source of a provincial irrigation project. SaskPower noted there was concern whether an SMR would compete with other needs, the report read.
An SMR’s effect on tourism activities such as hunting, boating, swimming and ice fishing was also a concern. However, some residents believed an SMR would complement spin-off benefits from the irrigation project.
Location was seen as an advantage, with the Elbow region being between Regina and Saskatoon while also being near Moose Jaw and Swift Current. Concerns over infrastructure, such as seasonal services, poor roads, and lack of first responders were also raised, SaskPower said.
ESTEVAN STUDY AREA
In the Estevan study area, meetings were held in Weyburn, Alameda, Oxbow, Carlyle, Lampman and Estevan.
For residents in the area, jobs, training and economic diversity was seen as the highest priority. With the phase-out of conventional coal by 2030, the addition of nuclear was seen by many as a way to transition the local economy, the report outlined.
Siting and land use was another priority for residents. Many respondents pointed out that the plant should be built on SaskPower owned land and that Estevan would be a more suitable site given its proximity to the border for selling power to the United States.
Recreation, fishing and wildlife was another top point for residents. Recreational use of all three bodies of water in the area were deemed a priority.
Many residents believed that the Boundary Dam area would be more suitable because of pre-existing industry and deeper waters.
GOING FORWARD
More outreach and engagement is planned as SaskPower works to select a potential site that could support up to two small modular reactors.
A list of questions and answers from the engagement project will be available in the near future, according to SaskPower. A water valuation survey is also currently available.
More community drop-in events are scheduled for March.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.