Loading...
Times-Advocate, 1978-02-02, Page 10Times-Advocate, February 2, 1978 By JACK RIDDELL MPP Huron-Middlesex committee opens Meetings of the Select Committee on Ontario Hydro have begun and will, no doubt, continue for at least a year. During this period of minority govern­ ment, the recommendations of the Committee will, almost certainly, be quite far reaching. Ontario Hydro has become a giant enterprise, employ­ ing thousands of people, making demands on capital funding unprecedented in the history of the province, and influencing the lives of every citizen in Ontario, either directly or indirectly. Originally, it was en­ visaged that the Select Com­ mittee’s work would, after a brief orientation period for new members unfamiliar with some of the background, proceed to study the problems of cost over-runs incurred by Lum­ mus Corporation at the Bruce Heavy Water Plants. These over-runs were in- About 300 area snowmobilers par-HEADING ticipated in Sunday's Snowarama for Timmy. Above, Ron Taylor of Brucefield leaves the Pineridge Chalet on his way back to Hully Gully. T-A phot' before it is utilized in the reactors and the safety of the reactors themselves must be taken into account. It seems highly likely that nuclear power will have to meet some of our energy needs, at least in the early part of the twenty-first cen­ tury. However, it should not be permitted to become On­ tario’s sole energy source, and there are a number of other viable alternatives which must be developed. A great deal of very useful information has been gathered by the Royal Com­ mission on electric power planning under the Chair­ manship of Arthur Porter and this will also be con­ sidered by the Select Com­ mittee. While these matters will certainly be discussed by the Select Committee, they have been placed in abeyance for the time being, because of the urgent need to consider the question of the long-term contracts signed by Ontario Hydro with Denison Mines and Preston Mines for the supply of uranium fuel. Both con­ tracts are subject to Ontario Government approval. Denison Mine approval must be given by Order-in- Council by February 28th; Preston Mines approval must be given by October 31st of this year. Premier Davis has asked the Select Committee to consider the contracts and “confirm” that they are in the public in­ terest. Ontario Hydro began negotiations with the two companies in 1974. The 200 million pounds of uranium fuel involved is intended to feed 5 committed reactor complexes from 1980 to 2020, and the contracts, if fulfill­ ed, will cover the largest uranium fuel purchase in history. Based on 1978 prices, the purchase totals $6.5 billion dollars, representing a net profit before corporate tax­ es of about $2.5 billion, depending on cost of produc­ tion. Each contract contains escalator clauses which tie the price paid to the world price which could, according to present predictions, result in an additional profit of about $1 billion for each $11 dollar rise in the world price of uranium: a further possible $3 billion. It is becoming increasing­ ly evident that while the itially brought to the atten­ tion of the people of Ontario by the Leader of the Official Opposition, Dr. Stuart Smith, early last Fall. At that time, investigations revealed that the costs had exceeded estimates by about $140 million as of August. Questions need to be answered with respect to waste on the job, the at­ titude of the Lummus Cor­ poration to the open ended contract, the terms of the contract, and so forth. It was anticipated that the second phase of discussion would centre around the recommendations made by the previous Select Com­ mittee to both Hydro and the Government regarding the maximizing and upgrading of Hydro’s system, obvious­ ly, we need to know what Hydro has done about those recommendations, how far it is prepared to go, whether or not institutional barriers will have to be removed in order to achieve success in implementing the recommendations. If the more than forty recommendations were ful­ ly implemented, the ef­ ficiency of Ontario’s electric power generating system would be improved, the con­ sumers would benefit by the resultant cost break. Obviously, there will have to be some discussion of the advisability of large cen­ tralized utilities versus a more decentralized system, including the whole question of power corridors. Hopeful­ ly, the methods of selecting and siting these power cor­ ridors will also be discussed at some length. Nuclear power in Ontario will also have to be con­ sidered in some detail, and recommendations will be made to the Government on future policy in this connec­ tion. Many important con­ siderations must be taken into account. There is the question of spent fuel waste, and its possible re­ processing — a possibility viewed with some caution, even trepidation, by many of the most learned nuclear ex­ perts in the world at this time. Another matter for con­ sideration is the contingency of a great deal of political power in the hands of a few highly trained technocrats. There are also health and safety risks attached to the processing of nuclear fuel government has long known of the need for uranium fuel, no consideration has been given to alternatives other than simple purchase. As an example, in 1973, Task Force Hydro suggested that one means of securing ade­ quate fuel supplies would be to acquire control of a uranium mine — a sugges­ tion consistent with free enterprise since any cor­ poration will consider ac­ quisition of a 100supplier. That was five years ago, when mining stock was cheaper. This present con­ tract was negotiated right in the midst of a sellers’ market, the worst possible time to make a deal. NOTICE TO DOG OWNERS in the Township of Stephen 1978 Dog Tags available at Township Office 1 st dog — $8.00 2nd or additional dog — $15.00 for each After May 1st, 1978 1st dog —$12.00 2nd or additional dog — $22.00 for each Kennel Licence — $25.00 You may request a tag by mail. * RATE SUBJECT TO CHANGE ttiniDflGHS Mrs. Joyce Black Accountant COMPOUNDED AND ACCUMULATED SEMI-ANNUALLY CHECK THESE: RATE GUARANTEED 5 YEARS NO SET UP OR ANNUAL FEES 10.69% AVERAGE ANNUAL INTEREST YIELD * 8 %% COMPARE OUR R.R.SJ>. (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) R.H.O.S.P. (Registered Home Ownership Savings Plan) CURRENTLY PAYING Serving more and more people since 1889 VICTORIA.., GREY TRUST COMPANY 425 Main St. EXETER 235-0530 FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT: Dennis J. Smith Manager Vlwwww, gee cote...vou used all the hc>t w<ater<again... ardjnu diolrit wash behindyt>u rears JASPER has the same problem a lot of us have: too many kids around and not enough hot water to go around. It’s the same old story. You’re ready for a nice hot shower or relaxing tub before going to bed and... brrrrrr... the old water heater gives you the cold shoulder again. It’s almost unbearable, isn’t it? There is an answer, though. And it’s a very simple and very reliable one, indeed: Gulfstream. A new Gulfstream Natural Gas water heater heats up water a whole lot faster than the electric ones. So when you’re ready, there’s a ready supply of hot water. Ahhhhhh, now that’s comforting to know. Also, too, an ultra-modern Gulfstream Natural Gas water heater is very, very economical. Jasper doesn’t realize it, but for many of us, it can cost up to twice as much to heat the same amount of water with electricity as it does with Natural Gas. Imagine that. No wonder so many homes in this neck of the woods have Gulfstream in their basements. To find out all the warm and wonderful reasons for getting a new Gulfstream Natural Gas water heater, call your local plumbing contractor or your neighbour­ hood Union Gas Appliance Centre. Whether you want to rent or buy...Gulfstream is a sure fire way 3pp|ianC6 to get yourself into a lot of hot water. centre