Positive Impacts the new project will have on neighboring residents
SOCIAL
Secondly, nuclear energy creates multiple direct and indirect jobs. For example, nuclear energy has created a total of 60 000 Canadian jobs so far and it is estimated that the number of jobs will increase up to 84 000, by 2017. These jobs are created during the mining and miling processes of uranium, the refining of uranium, the transportation of material, the construction and decommissioning of nuclear plant, the operation of the plant, the disposal of the waste and the monitoring of each step. In the case of the new Darlington nuclear project, it is estimated that a workforce of 3 500 will be required during the preparation and construction phases for a period of 8 to 16 years, depending on the number of reactors built. Also, the activities related to the construction phase will create an estimated total of 9 600 direct and indirect jobs at both the local and reginal scales. Furthermore, between 1 400 to 2800 workers will be needed during the operation and maintenance phases, depending on the number of reactors added. Also, the activities associated with the plant’s operation will create 8 500 direct and indirect jobs at both the local and regional scales . In addition, the existing employment at the current Darlington site will be maintained during the operation and maintenance phases. By creating all these new jobs, nuclear energy stimulates the economy. Multiple businesses are going to benifit from the increased spending of the new employees and from the project’s differeny requirements of multiple goods and services. As a result, both the local and regional economies are going to be stimulated by each of the project’s phases. Lastly, nuclear energy also benefits the industrial and medical fields, with the different by-products it creates. In fact, not only does the nuclear fission of uranium produce a large amount of energy, but it also produces a number of radioisotopes. These radioisotopes fluorine 18, iridium 192 and iodine 131. For example, a radioisotope commonly used by the medical facilities is iodine 131. This isotope is essential to the nuclear medicine department, because it is used in the diagnostic and treatment of thyroid cancer patients. Other isotopes such as fluorine 18 and iridium 192 also benefit the medical institute, because they are respectfully used in PET scans and internal radiation treatment. In both cases, nuclear energy provides essential radioactive material to different fields. For all of these reasons, nuclear energy benefits both the economy and the health of humans. |
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Negative Impacts the new project will have on neighboring residents
What are the public's major concerns?
- Atmospheric features (would air particles and chemicals pollute the air?) - Health repercussions to public and nuclear workers
- Nuclear emergency preparedness - Effects on nearby trafic and safety of transporting materials - Effects on the lake's temperature
- Socio-economic considerations (effects on employment, community services, property value, nuisance) - Agricultural repercussions |
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Public members against the New Nuclear Darlington In March 2011, Greenpeace Canada activists were seen protesting against the building of four new reactors for the New Darlington project during public hearings. Banners saying "No Nukes are Safe. Stop Darlington" were displayed. Shawn-Patrick Stensil (Greenpeace Nuclear Analyst) claimed:
In April 2012, as a hommage to the nuclear disaster that occured in April 1986, protestors were seen carrying large red stop-sign banners saying "Remember Chernobyl? Stop Darlington" out in the streets. |
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For more information on the topic, please refer to the following articles: CBC News, Toronto Media and Greenpeace.
Likely adverse effects of the project identified by the proponent
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Mitigation and Compensation
The Darlington Nuclear site has already existing recreational activites available for use by the surrounding population of residents
- 8 soccer fields
- A baseball diamond
- Picnic areas
- A playground
- Public parking lots
- The "Waterfront" trail
- Fitness trails
What new mitigation measures are planned?
- OPG and the Municipality of Clarington entered a "Host Municipality Agreement" in August 2009, where OPG assures compensation to the municipality for and residual effects by the New Nuclear Darlington project
- All information will be shared with the relevant economic, governmental and social professional community
- OPG will establish liaisons with educational establishments, labour forces and the government for preparation/construction and operation/maintenance phases of the project
- A Trafic Management Plan will be implemented in order to reduce circulation disruption and increase safety during site preparation and construction phases
- A Nuisance-Effects Management Plan will be implemented in order to resolve any complaints and issues raised by the public due to dust and noise nuisances during the Preparation and construction phase of the project
- OPG will continue to work with related stakeholders to create biodiversity, community, recreational and educational intiatives
- OPG will continue to keep the surrounding general public informed with all advancements in the project activites
- OPG will re-establish full access to the WaterFront trail as soon as safely possible
- Resolutions will be established for any residual effects identified after initiation for recreational users of the site
Please refer to the Socio-Economic Environment Technical Support Document and the Canadian Nuclear Factbook, for more information.