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MoSreA PAINTS Primer Most colours The Independent, Canadian Statesman Weekender, Bowmanville, Saturday, February 19,1994 19 Hydro Workers Seek Review Of Ontario Hydro's Cutbacks John Murphy, president of the Power Workers' Union representing 14,700 employees at Ontario Hydro, has called for political intervention to force a review of the corporation's shutdown plans. In a letter to Ontario Premier Bob Rae, Provincial Environment and Energy Energy Minister Bud Wildman and Prime Minister Jean Chretien. Mr. Murphy pointed out that the Hydro shutdown of 2,700 MW of generation capacity (10 per cent of the corporation's corporation's available generation stock) has been poorly researched. The union adds that critical analysis of community community impacts, environmental costs and Anti-Nuke Group Calls for Closure Of the Bruce "A" Generating Station The Ontario Hydro Board of Directors Directors was scheduled to meet on Monday, Monday, February 14th, to discuss surplus generating capacity and the possible closure of some generating station units. Options available include shutting down a combination of units at the Bmce 'A' Nuclear Station, the Lamb- ton Coal Station and/or the Lennox Oil-fired Station. David Martin," a spokesperson for the Nuclear Awareness Project in Durham, Durham, is calling for a permanent shutdown shutdown of all four reactors at the Brace 'A'Nuclear Station. The Nuclear Awareness Project is a group pressing for the eventual phase-out of nuclear power. In an open letter to the Ontario Hydro Hydro Board of Directors, Mr. Martin charges that on-going repairs to reactors reactors carry an enormous price tag. :"Bruce 'A' NGS has had a steady decline in performance since its reactors reactors were first started up in 1977- 1979," he writes. The Ontario Hydro Board continues continues to waste over half a million dollars dollars per day on repairs at Brace A, he continues. Permitting this dismal performance performance to continue is a sign that Ontario Hydro is unable to change, he states. In making his case against the Brace NGS, Martin writes: "In March of 1993 the Atomic Energy Control Board reduced the allowed operating power at both Brace 'A' and 'B' to 60% of full power because of a design flaw that increases the risk of a severe accident in conjunction with a loss of coolant accident. .. In June 1993, the AECB extended the Brace 'A' license for one year instead of the standard two, but retained the 60% de-rating, despite allowing the four reactors at Brace 'B' to go to 80%." The AECB refused to allow the Brace generating station to return to full power in January because of serious serious safety concerns, Martin writes. Martin suggests that Hydro staff have underestimatèd the cost of keeping keeping Brace 'A' going. He cites a study conducted for NAP which indicates Hydro's reserves reserves margin of 24% power is "superfluous." "superfluous." "No other Canadian utility uses a reserve margin higher than 20%. On Hydro's December peak of about 24,000 MW, 24% is about 1000 MW. The capacity of Brace 'A' at 60% power of about 2000 MW. This "reserve "reserve surplus" is on top of Hydro's self-admitted surplus of 3000-5000 MW." , J ' Martin concludes his case to close Brace noting that nuclear power has become ah increasingly risky economic economic gamble for Ontario Hydro. , "As economic pressure mounts on Ontario Hydro, there will be increasing increasing pressure to improve performance and a corresponding tendency to cut comers on nuclear safety, thus increasing increasing the risk of a serious accident. Hydro's requests to return the Bruce nuclear stations to full power despite safety problems is a perfect example of this alarming tendency." The open letter was dated February, February, 7th, 1994. the financial losses associated with a shift to private power were not adequately adequately considered. The letter also points out that Hydro's Hydro's job loss figure of 520 is considerably considerably less than the estimated 1,500 affected positions identified by the Union. In addition, the losses are un- supportable, considering the lack of appropriate analysis and the fact that this action works against both federal and provincial commitments to job creation. In closing, Mr. Murphy calls for government intervention to have the shutdown decisions delayed until a full public review can be held in front of the Ontario Energy Board, expected expected to begin deliberations on Hydro's rates and organization within the next few months. ENNISKILLEN SLEIGH RIDES -- .Don't pass up your chance to ride through the Enniskillen wilderness aboard a horse-drawn sleigh! Experienced horseman, Mr. Chrysler (in the driver's seat above), plans to guide Candy and Lad down the snowy trails of the park for the last time this winter on Saturday and Sunday, February 19th and 20th, at Enniskillen Conservation Area. Environment Bill Praised by MPP Durham East MPP, Gord Mills today today hailed the passage into law of Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights. The Bill is considered to be the most significant environmental legislation in the province in more than two decades. "The Environmental Bill of Rights fulfills a long-tsanding commitment of our NDP Government," said Mr. Mills. "People in Ontario will now have a greater say in environmental decisions decisions affecting their lives and communities communities and they will have rights they've never had before to protect the environment." The new law also gives greater protection to employees who blow the whistle on polluting employers. illBMIES? the weather, bat yoa can home with more of oar yoar h Moorcraft Latex Eggshell ideal paints Ideal Latex Our reg. $15.95 'S NOT EXPENSIVE IT'S IDEAL! HELPFUL STAFF (Overwhelming Actually) (We're helpful but we won't bug you.) 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