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Nuclear Energy and Public Acceptance

By Claudia LemieuxDirector, Communications and Media Relations

February 2004

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Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) publication 2003

Nuclear Energy Today

The Future of Nuclear Energy

“The future of nuclear energy depends on the interplay between four factors –growth in energy demand, cost-competitiveness with other fuel sources, environmental considerations, and questions of public attitude and perception. Depending on the satisfactory resolution of these factors and on technical advances, many new and enlarged applications of nuclear energy can be envisaged.”

Luis E. EchavarriNEA Director-General

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Overview of Canada’s Nuclear Industry• Canada: 60 years in nuclear; Nobel Prize – 1994: Dr. Bert Brockhouse• Nuclear is $5B/year industry; 30,000 workers, 150 firms, $700M paid

in annual taxes• 22 CANDU reactors generate ~15% of Canada’s power supply, cleanly

and safely in Québec, NB and Ontario• Ontario: 20 reactors provide about 50% of province’s power (15,000

MWe)

Darlington, ON

Pickering, ON

Gentilly, QC

Pt. Lepreau, NBBruce, ON

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Canadian Nuclear Industry Messages

• Industry safety record second to none • Nuclear energy = zero air pollution• Waste well managed, small in volume• World’s largest uranium exporter• Invented Cobalt-60 cancer therapy• Largest exporter of radioisotopes• 7 CANDU reactors sold / completed in

10 years

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CANDU Reactors Worldwide

Québec, CanadaGentilly 2 1 unit

RomaniaCernavoda 1 unit

1 unit under construction

2 units to comeOntario, CanadaDarlington 4 unitsPickering 8 unitsBruce 8 units

New Brunswick, CanadaPoint Lepreau 1 unit

ArgentinaEmbalse 1 unit

Republic of KoreaWolsong 4 units

IndiaRAPS 2 unitsPakistanKANUPP 1 unit

ChinaQinshan 2 units

Total: 36

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Number of Operating Reactors in Canada (2004)

There are 17 reactors now operating and they are:

• Pickering A (Ontario): 1 reactor 540MW

• Pickering B (Ontario): 4 reactors 540 MW each

• Darlington (Ontario): 4 reactors 935 MW each

• Bruce A (Ontario): 2 reactors 750 MW each

• Bruce B (Ontario): 4 reactors 840 MW each

• Gentilly 2 (Quebec): 1 reactor 675 MW

• Point Lepreau (New Brunswick): 1 reactor 685 MW

Number of Canadian Reactors (Potentially Returning to Service)

- Pickering A (Ontario): 3 reactors 540 MW each

- Bruce A (Ontario): 2 reactors 750 MW each

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Public Concerns to Nuclear Issues in Canada

• Plant performance and efficiency

• Economics

• Resolve long term nuclear fuel waste disposal (Nuclear Waste Management Organization)

• Safety

• Security

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Public Information Gap

• The Canadian Nuclear Association had no public profile between 1993 - 2001.

2002

• Industry recognition for public communications on nuclear issues

• Target audience: decision-maker, media versus general public

• No industry recognition that public acceptance is a requirement for political support.

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Communications Program 2002 - 2004• Created Communications Infrastructure

• Website

• Fact Sheets

• Economic Studies & Analysis

• Media Relations

• Advertising (television, radio and print)

• Speeches, events, conferences

• Third Party Endorsement

• Energy Sector Sponsorship

• Budget - $ 1.3 Million

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Results • Over 20,000 visitors monthly seek out information on nuclear energy.

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

Mar-02 June September December Mar-03 Jun-03 Sep-03 Dec-03

VISITS

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Poll Analysis• From a regional perspective, support for nuclear energy remains highest in Ontario 64%. (Environics 2003)

• 77% believe nuclear energy will be put in Canada’s energy mix in the future.(Ipsos-Reid 2003)

• 68% of Canadians support upgrading and refurbishing nuclear power plants. (Ipsos-Reid 2003)

• 41% support building new nuclear power plants. (Ipsos-Reid 2003)

Public Opinion is improving

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Federal Government Survey 2003Circumstances are creating opportunity for the nuclear industry

– Internationally, the industry is enjoying a renaissance• Emerging economies need power• US moving toward construction of new nuclear reactors

– In Canada, government is moving ahead on climate change solutions• Understanding that Canada must become less reliant on fossil fuels• Federal officials understand nuclear’s clean air credentials

Nuclear industry has ongoing challenges– Public opinion on nuclear still difficult and must be addressed

• Government unwilling to act unless public is thoroughly consulted– Governments at all levels have little budgetary room to manoeuvre– Industry must overcome credibility problems and focus on developing a realistic business plan

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Advertising

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Advertising• To position nuclear as part of the world energy mix.

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Conclusion• Canada needs political support to move forward on nuclearrefurbishment and new build

• Canada needs to ensure there is a reasonable regulatory environment for the industry for cost competitiveness

• Public acceptance and support for nuclear energy in Canada is a requirement for a nuclear growth strategy

• The Nuclear Industry in Canada is committed to investing in communications with decision-makers, opinion-leaders and media

• The Nuclear Industry in Canada has not committed to investing in communications with the general public to achieve public acceptance at this time

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Conclusion (cont’d)

• The Canadian Nuclear Association is working with members, private industry & governments to include a public acceptance strategy is part of a 2025 vision of a Nuclear Growth strategy in Canada.

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Nuclear Energy Today“If a case cannot be satisfactorily made that nuclear energy is economically competitive, safe and that there are acceptable solutions for its waste, then nuclear energy is likely to decline, at first slowly, in

importance. Yet, if it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the public that nuclear energy does address these concerns, it is likely that there will be strong new growth in nuclear power.”

Luis E. Echavarri

NEA Director-General

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Thank you!Canadian Nuclear Association

www.cna.ca

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