The largest Ontario coal-fired electricity generating plant scheduled to close down in 2014, is in this Ontario town situated in Haldimand County on Lake Erie in the midst of prime farming areas. County officials want to promote the area as a provincial energy hub. Power options would likely include some mix of nuclear, wind, solar, biomass and other sources. This was seen as a way to develop jobs including those lost when the coal-fired generating station is closed. It is in this context that some residents of the area started looking into nuclear power and became disturbed about health effects and other concerns.

At least one resident of Nanticoke attended a March 14 No Nukes Teach-in at the University of Toronto where he obtained information from us at the IICPH display table and purchased Rosalie’s book, No Immediate Danger. We were very pleased to learn that opposition to a nuclear power plant has gathered a bit of steam since. On April 4, Bruce Power held an information session to tell the public about the benefits of a nuclear power plant and possibilities for building one starting in 2011 and finishing in 2018. It would employ 1,000 during the construction that might go ahead if supported by the community and passed environmental suitability tests.

Four people stood outside the community centre holding NO NUKES signs, handing out pamphlets and conversing with people who attended. We applaud their initiative and will watch developments as opposition is bound to grow as the truth about nuclear is spread.