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Author Archives: energyprbe
Energy Probe proved precient watchdog warned of nuclear woes in '81
Way back in 1981, a tiny research outfit in Toronto wrote to the chairman of Ontario Hydro, warning that nuclear megaprojects would cost Ontario dearly. Energy Probe warned of cost overruns in building nuclear plants, uncertain future demand, growing debt, competition from cheaper power sources, and reactors that might not run as perfectly as the glowing forecasts claimed. It’s been proven right on all counts, bearing out two decades of warnings that nuclear stations were financial messes.
Venezuelan wants to sell fossil fuel to Ontario
Ontario Hydro can expect a knock on the door any day now from a Venezuelan salesman lugging a bag full of goo and pitching a sure-fire plan to help solve the troubled utility’s power-producing woes.
Eduardo Hernandez, vice-president of marketing with Bitor America Corp., is touting the merits of a new, tar-like fossil fuel called orimulsion. This sludgy blend of bitumen and water has the potential, he says, to ignite world energy markets in the fast-approaching post-nuclear age.
Lake bed crack raises fears about nuclear plants
Three earthquake experts say a newly discovered fault under Lake Ontario adds to the risk that Pickering and Darlington, as well as four U.S. nuclear plants, are on shakier ground than anyone thought.
Seismologists Joe Wallach, Arselan Mohajer and Richard Thomas explored the deepest part of Lake Ontario last May.
They say the bottom of the "Rochester Basin" in eastern Lake Ontario has heaved and cracked during the past 11,000 years — recent time in geological terms.
Hydro shuts huge nuclear reactor
Bruce A plant may be lost for peak winter season
The giant Bruce A generating station on Lake Huron, which can supply 15 per cent of Ontario’s electricity, has shut down because of rust and cracks and may never reopen.
Ontario Hydro insists it plans to get the plant working again in time for winter. But it needs permission from a federal regulator, which says this may be "difficult."
Hydro shuts down reactor
Utility scrambles to revive two reactors at crippled Bruce station
A reactor at the giant Bruce A nuclear station died prematurely yesterday, as Ontario Hydro gave up trying to repair internal cracks and rust.
The fate of two others at the station is still in question. The fourth was shut down two years ago, needing hundreds of millions of dollars in repairs.
Transcript of EP's presentation to the Ontario select committee on Ontario Hydro nuclear affairs
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ONTARIO HYDRO NUCLEAR AFFAIRS Chair / Président Mr Derwyn Shea (High Park-Swansea PC) ViceChair / VicePrésident Mr Monte Kwinter (Wilson Heights L) Mr Sean Conway (Renfrew North / -Nord L) Mr Doug Galt (Northumberland PC) Mrs Barbara Fisher (Bruce PC) Mrs Helen Johns (Huron PC) Mr Monte Kwinter (Wilson Heights L) Mr Floyd Laughren (Nickel Belt ND) Mr John R. O’Toole (Durham East / -Est PC) Mr Derwyn Shea (High Park-Swansea PC)
Clerk / Greffière Ms Donna Bryce
Ontario Hydro forecasts high cost for replacement power
Based on the evidence of a senior Ontario Hydro official presented to the Ontario Select Committee on Ontario Hydro Nuclear Affairs, Ontario Hydro believes its incremental cost of power over the next five years, mostly from coal-fired stations needed to replace production lost from declining nuclear performance, will be 3.9 cents per KW.h. Even assuming that Ontario Hydro is accurately forecasting its costs, this cost for dirty coal-fired power probably exceeds the total cost of much cleaner high efficiency natural gas-fired power.
Contents of EP's briefing binder to the Select Committee on Ontario Hydro nuclear affairs
Ontario Select Committee on
Ontario Hydro Nuclear Affairs
Background Documents for
Presentation of
Energy Probe
Presenters:
Presentation of
Energy Probe
Thomas Adams, Executive Director
Norman Rubin, Director of Nuclear Research
October 20, 1997
EnergyProbe
225 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2M6
Telephone (416) 964-9223
Facsimile (416) 964-8239
Power privatization and competition lowering rates
Power privatization and competition introduced in the electricity market in the State of Victoria, Australia in 1994 has caused electricity prices there to drop for homeowners by 6% in inflation adjusted terms. The rate drop has occurred despite unexpectedly high prices paid by the new owners of the electricity system after an intense bidding war broke out during privatization.
Energy Probe 