Calgary Sun: Nuclear power debate rages

UPDATED: 2007-05-29 01:01:47 MST

Energy Alberta brings alternative energy source to forefront

By DINA O'MEARA, CP

Nuclear power might be all the rage for some interested parties in
Alberta's oilpatch, but others question the need for such
controversial power generation in an industry that requires more
steam than electricity.

While the low-emission power generated from uranium poses an
alternative to coal and costly natural gas, oil companies are
already moving rapidly towards cheaper, more efficient technologies
than those used for the past 20 years, one representative said.

"Nuclear may be an option in five to 10 years from now, but in the
meantime, people are already moving off of natural gas and moving on
to other things," said Greg Stringham, with the Canadian Association
of Petroleum Producers.

Nuclear power recently has garnered increased attention through the
efforts of Energy Alberta Corp., which has been lobbying industry,
government and the public in Alberta to raise awareness of its
benefits for the province.

The company, headed by Albertans Wayne Henuset and Hank Swartout,
outgoing chief executive of Precision Drilling Trust, wants to
invest $6.2 billion to build at least two nuclear reactors that
would generate about 2,200 megawatts of electricity.

The project has found supporters in a number of circles, including
the University of Calgary's Institute for Sustainable Energy
Environment and Economy, as an alternative to replace aging
coal-fired plants which emit high levels of greenhouse gases.

Opponents point out the heavily subsidized nature of nuclear power
in Canada, primarily in Ontario and New Brunswick, and say the
citizens of Alberta would be shouldering the costs.


No oil company has publicly backed the project, including Shell
Canada, which some media outlets claimed was studying the use of
nuclear power in northern Alberta.

Sure Northern Energy, a subsidiary of Shell, has parcels of land in
an undeveloped area of the oilsands known to be in limestone. The
unconventional play requires more study to learn about its geology,
before hanging on any technology to produce it, spokesman Kurt Kadaz
said.

"That's why we are pursuing an appraisal program, and that's why
it's too early to discuss the potential commercial project and any
of its elements," Kadatz said.

Energy Alberta, with partner Crown corporation Atomic Energy of
Canada Ltd., originally targeted the energy-hungry oilsands in its
sales pitch, but has moved on to focus on Alberta in general.

"The purpose of this plant is to produce electricity only,"
spokesman Guy Huntingford said.

"Obviously, hydrogen and steam are byproducts of it, but that's not
why it's being built; it's being built purely for electricity, so we
can place the plant anywhere."

Huntingford estimates the province will need about 11,000 new
megawatts of power by 2020 to satisfy growing demands by the
oilsands and possible oilsands refineries.

Energy Alberta plans to file a preliminary application for the
project with the federal Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission in
mid-June, and select a location for the proposed reactors by
mid-September.


Copyright © 2006, Canoe Inc. All rights reserved.
[infowarsnews] Charlie Sheen Responds To New York Post Hit Piece
 
Date: Tue, 29 May 2007 01:29:56 -0500 (CDT)




Charlie Sheen Responds To New York Post Hit Piece Actor: "My views
and convictions regarding 9/11 have not wavered"

Charlie Sheen Prison Planet Monday, May 28, 2007

My views and convictions regarding the events of 9/11 have not
wavered. I still firmly believe the citizens of this great country,
especially the family members of those tragically lost, deserve a
much more accurate and thorough investigation surrounding the
horrific events.

http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/may2007/280507sheenresponds.htm

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