Putting a price on emissions? Not compatible with closing Pickering.

OPG’s plan to replace Pickering with methane (Natural Gas) is completely at odds with the object of putting a price on carbon, which is to drive consumers, including utilities, to other sources that have a lower, or zero emissions footprint. In 2019 Pickering avoided the consumption of 5.9 billion cubic meters (based on average gas plant efficiency) of natural gas for power generation, enough to heat millions of homes for a typical winter. As carbon pricing increases occur, the cost of every kWh generated by gas will become more and more expensive, increasing the value of Pickering’s ability to produce electricity with no direct emissions and satisfy Ontario demand during the peak summer months.

Bruce Power understands

Today in laying out their roadmap for meeting our 2050 emissions targets Bruce Power highlighted, as the first step, that we must “Optimize existing nuclear infrastructure investments to drive further decarbonization“. We couldn’t agree more! This is why we implore the Ford government to approach Bruce Power about assuming operation of the Pickering site and undertake the refurbishment and uprating of the four B units.

Bad energy advice easy to find at OCAA

Back in 2012, Jack Gibbons and the OCAA advocated for Pickering to be replaced by Natural Gas. Now, they are condemning the use of gas to replace Pickering, saying it can be done with Quebec Hydro, conservation and more renewables. This ignores the fact that Quebec imports from Ontario in the winter and wind produces grossly out of phase with demand in the summer. In fact, during the summer months Ontario’s 5,000MW wind fleet produces less power on average than one unit at Bruce and on the hottest days, output approaches zero.

Read the detailed take on our Facebook page.

Save Pickering at Queens Park and OPG HQ

Doctors For Nuclear and the Save Pickering gang showed up with plenty of support at Queens Park, though attendance was limited to 25 to comply with COVID restrictions. A big thank you for all that attended and showed your support for this critical cause.