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Orono Weekly Times, 4 Apr 1979, p. 2

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2-Orono Weekly Titties, Wednesday, April 4th, 1979 Orotid Weekly Times , WITHIN REASONABLE LIMITS Happenings at Harrisburg, Pa., over the past few days brings again to the fore the, use of nuclear power for the generation of electrical power in both this continent and in other countries throughout the world. ; Very few things do have a one hundred percent safety factor and nuclear fired plants are no exception. The Royal Commission on electric Power Planning recently gave cautious approval to an expanded nuclear program in Ontario and did state that "within reasonable limits the Candu reactor is safe": But the Commission calls for continual vigilance and re-assessment of reactor safety systems. Although nuclear power does have much going for it as to cheaper hydro and an assured supply of such power within the province it also has a number of drawbacks. Permanent storage of particially spent fuel and a solution to eliminate health problems associated with increasing amounts of uranium mining tailings are possibly but a few. Unfortunate as the Harrisburg incident may be it cannot but help the proponents of nuclear power to realize that much has yet to be done and that during the meantime restraint should be followed in the development of nuclear power. Never, of course, can anyone assure a complete safety factor. Many of the alternatives to provide the source of power for electrical generation also have their draw backs. A possible limited supply of oil and health factors related to coal fired plants without some new technology is control of emissions. Solar heat is not expected even by the year 2000 to provide an energy source of more than five percent of need. It could hardly be expected to be an alternative. What we don't need at this time is a series of what may be called make-shift correctives. It comes to mind that in the past Ontario Hydro in order to reduce area pollution at the Hearn plant in Toronto they extended the smoke stack further into the atmosphere. This was no solution to a pollution problem as it only spread the pollutants further afield. There is no doubt that such action both in Canada and the United States has resulted in the recent claim that acid rain is destroying the lakes in Ontario. We will have to do better than this and by a large margin. In many instances we seem to go around in circles. Some years ago there was a big surge to return fishing to the Great Lakes. No sooner had this program started to show some improvement when it was learned we had polluted the lakes to the extent that many fish taken were not really suited for human consumption. Surely we should be able to do better than this today. These pollutant problems at least seem to come as a surprise to the general public. There will always be with us human error and mechanical breakdown ànd this has certainly been noted over the years even in our mode of land and air travel but they are established within the core of the economy and continue with a greater degree of safety. What would this country be with a return to the horse driven vehicle. We would not survive and no doubt would be polluted by horse chips. Sr.' Certainly one alternative we can all assist with is the conservation of energy which will result in a decreasing of greater proliferation of nuclear hydro plants in this country. We do control to a great degree the future. If we continue the . waste of energy we increase the overall degree of danger to - life* The reverse is also true. " OVERREACTED It now appears that area politicians over-reacted in their efforts to assist those in the area complaining of telephone service. Many who had signed the petition seeking additional and better telephone service, and even some who circulated the petitions see the present action as going too fair at this time. Even the Orono Telephone'Ratepayers Association want to first meet with the Telephone Company prior to any such action as requesting a take-over of the telephone system by Bell Canada. There definitely was an over-reaction in the submission of the Notice of Motion to the Region. It is now unlikely that the Notice of Motion will be pursued at this time at the Region. The matter comes up for discussion today at the Region. ( Continued from page 1 ) PARTICIPATION HOUSE NEEDS PROVINCIAL FUNDS Charitable Institution. The town treasurer stated that it was not within the jurisdiction of the Town to give exemption from assessment. assessment. It is a provincial matter, he said, and the writer has been so informed.' He said this action had,been taken by him so that they could appeal the assessment prior to March 12th. Counc. Cowman said she had leârhed that one member of the Participation House organization had resigned due to the fact that they could not obtain a commitment from the Province as to funding of the operation. SAM AT QUEEN'S PARK Report from Queen's Park Sam Cureatz, M.P.P.? Durham East Ontario - Country's most industrialized province Ontario is the country's most industrialized province. However, approximately 80 percent of the energy used is imported, most of which is in the form of fossil fuels which are non-renewable, depleting resources. Further, since Canada also imports substantial substantial quantities of crude oil, our province also becomes vulnerable vulnerable to disruptions of supplies due to events such as the current Iranian situation. Luckily for Ontario, one of her greatest assets in attracting attracting new industry has been the availability of cheap electrical electrical power. Though the cost has increased in recent years, electricity in Ontario is still one of the best bargains available in North America. For example, based on 1978 rates, the bill for 1,000 kilowatt hours is $26. in Ontario. In New York it's $88, Boston $49, Vancouver $33, Fredericton $37 and Charlet- town $55. As consumers We have come to expect Ontario Hydro to keep pace with the demand for electricity. Lately however, however, Ontario Hydro has been the target of considerable criticism because of its inaccurate inaccurate load forecasts which have resulted in a surplus of electricity. I really think it's unfair to point a finger at Hydro's load forecasters for being wrong six years ago when they estimated an annual growth rate of about 7 percent in electricity use rather than 4.7 percent growth rate presently forecast until 1990. By the same token, who would have anticipated back then that oil prices would more than quadruple by today. Given the present uncertain energy situation, and bearing in mind that it takes between 10 and 15 years to plan and build a new energy generat- - ing station, a surplus in energy is a definite plus in competing for new industries and sustaining economic growth. Without a large enough surplus to meet peak demands, demands, we would very well be faced with brownouts or blackouts. I am sure if this, situation would have happened, happened, those same critics would charge Ontario Hydro with failing to meet the needs of the province. This electrical security will cost us about $100 million a year or about 3 cents a day for the typical residential user. To some that may still sound expensive but compare that figure to the $300 million it costs Ontario Consumers each time the price of crude 011 is increased by $1 a barrel. Since 1977 alone, there have beemthree such increases apd Gem's Flower and Gifts Main Street, Orono 983-9724 Closed Wednesday , Open 9-6 Monday-Saturday After Hours Call 623-1487. two more are planned by the Federal Government this year. These factors together with the growing awareness among consumers of the need to conserve electricity, will assist in keeping Ontario competitive industrially and- safeguarding sufficient resources resources to meet our future needs. I write these comments comments in the light of my support of the construction of the Darlington Generating Station. Further, with regard to another kind of planning, there has been an ongoing analysis of the Pineridge Training School and V anticipate anticipate the Minister of Community Community and Social Services, Keith Norton, will be making known the results of the analysis in the near future. I would like to add my congratulations to Harry Irwin, Irwin, Liz Currie and the other members of the Community Telephone Ratepayers Association Association on their presentation to the Ontario "Telephone Commission. Commission. However, I am surprised that our Mayor had to work with an Oshawa Councillor to propose a- resolution resolution to the Region. I would have thought that the Regional Regional Councillors who represe'nt community telephone area Mrs. Cowman and Mr. Clarke would have been approached by the Mayor for the promotion promotion of a resolution. STANDING TIMBER OR VENEER LOGS MIXED HARD WOODS TOP PRICE FOR GOOD LOGS Inquire as to price and specifications Phone or write: Wilberiorce toneir & tomber Company Wilbetiorce, Ontario Phone 9:00 aim. -4:00 p m. (705)448-2521 Evenings Mr. Gibbs (705)448-2248 Mr. Tighe (705)448-2546 TELEPHONE 623-4555 JOHN MANUEL, C.G.A. INCOME TAX AND RELATED ACCOUNTING SERVICES 118 KING STREET EAST, SUITE 2 BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO LlC 1N3 ORONO UNITED CHURCH Pancake Dinner Sunday, April 8,1979 * 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. MAIN HALL, ORONO UNITED CHURCH PANCAKES FRESH MAPLE SYRUP SAUSAGES COFFEE I Adults $2.50 Children 12 and under $1.50 Leotards We have a good supply of leotards in several colours to fit from the smallest size at $3.00 to larger sizes at $3.50 and $4.50 Dresses and Suits New dresses and suits have been added to our supply of Spring clothing. Shop for something new for Spring. T-Shirts Smart looking Jockey dress T- Shirts, some with pockets and some with sharp navy trim are new in stock at attractive prices. 1 . Mapy Bargains » ,We have many things on sale. .Shop for special bargains. Armstrong's

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