Business Facilities - June 2008 - (Page 53)

BUSINESS REPORT New Brunswick (Continued from page 44) output for recycling as soda carbonation. During the past five years the recycling initiative has prevented 450,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere, and it would take 20 million trees to accomplish the same in that period. Regarding Eider Rock, “we will continue to consult our commu- posal to conduct a feasibility study regarding the construction of a second nuclear reactor at the Fredericton plant. The $2.5 million study has been proposed and funded by Team CANDU New Brunswick, a representative of five different nuclear technology and engineering companies. One of the companies Irving refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick nity to ensure that, if the project proceeds, it will be one the community can be proud of,” Scott promises. On the nuclear power front, environmental impact also is of the utmost concern. A multi-year proposal process similar to that being undertaken by the Eider Rock refinery also is in motion for the Point Lepreau Generating Station (PLGS) in Lepreau, New Brunswick. Point Lepreau currently supplies New Brunswick with 30% of its power, and also distributes power to parts of New England. In August 2007, the Government of New Brunswick accepted a pro- involved in the proposal is Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). Ken Petrunik, chief operating officer of AECL, explains, “We are extremely pleased that the Province of New Brunswick has accepted Team CANDU New Brunswick’s proposal. We are confident the study will clearly demonstrate that a second unit will provide an energy-secure future and economic self-sufficiency for the province.” New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham says the project study “further cements New Brunswick’s growing position as an energy hub on the Eastern seaboard and could be yet another catalyst towards our goal of self sufficiency by 2026.” Indeed, the new reactor will be in operation for 60 years. Should the $6 billion project go forward, it will create 4,000 construction jobs and 500 permanent jobs. This estimate, however, does not account for the nuclear research, training, and manufacturing industries that the new generator will attract. Keir claims that the proposal “already has brought positive spin-offs for the province like a Centre of Excellence for Retubing of CANDU reactors,” and adds that the project has “the potential to bring transformational change to our province.” Patrick Lamarre, president of SNC-Lavalin Nuclear, another of the Team CANDU companies, comments: “Team CANDU NB fully supports the province’s vision to become a world-class center of excellence for nuclear power.” PLGS began refurbishing its existing generator in March 2008. The $1.4 billion project is expected to reach completion in September 2009. Gaëtan Thomas, vice president of NB Power Nuclear, states that the initial process of shutting down the reactor went very well. “There was a lot of pride amongst our employees as many of them were there and worked at the station when it was first built,” he says. The station has been operating commercially since 1983, and the refurbishment should extend the generator’s life for another 25 years. New Brunswick is the only Eastern Canadian province licensed to operate a nuclear power plant. The refurbishment is the first ever attempted on a reactor of the type located at PLGS. BUSINESS FACILITIES 53 PHOTO CREDIT: BUSINESS NEW BRUNSWICK

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Business Facilities - June 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots Metro Spotlight: Austin, TX The Greening of America Winds of Change in the Berkshires Hot Logistics Locales Metro Spotlight: New Mexico Borderplex Hollywood on the Louisiana Bayou Idaho: Gem State's Economy is Glittering Mayor's Reports New Brunswick, Canada's Export Leader Virginia: Where Business and Fun Come Together How Green Is Your Site? Maine's New Maritime Marketing Message Corporate Moves: Alabama Advertiser Index Ask the Expert

Business Facilities - June 2008

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