New Letter to the Editor re: "Lepreau 2"

Published Monday April 28th, 2008
Appeared in the Saint John Telegraph Journal and the Fredericton Daily Gleaner

Use caution in nuclear decision

The Graham government seems to have its mind set on a second, preferably AECL-designed, nuclear reactor.

Jack Keir is quite bullish on the topic according to newspaper and radio reports. News coverage and independent consultant reports have cautioned that the decision to move forward depends upon the power demands of the New England market.

It seems that this demand is somewhat uncertain now and may get more uncertain in the future. As I was reading and listening to these stories, I have had a growing sense of déjà vu.

Wasn't there something in the recent past about the Lord government and NB Power moving forward without contracts in place - without really assessing the market?

Wasn't the Orimulsion fiasco a key election issue that propelled Graham to power and Keir into the minister's seat at the Department of Energy? Then again, maybe Graham wants to outperform Lord and do things bigger - if not exactly better.

ROB MOIR

NDP candidate for Fundy Royal