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Bruce Power

Bruce Power is a Canadian-owned private-sector partnership that operates the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, comprising eight CANDU pressurized heavy-water reactors on the eastern shore of Lake Huron in Ontario, generating approximately 30 percent of the province's electricity with zero carbon emissions.^[1]^[2]^[3] Established in 2001 as Canada's only private nuclear generator, the company restarted and refurbished units at the site, which originated in the 1960s with Canada's first commercial reactor, and now employs over 4,200 people while pursuing life-extension projects to maintain reliable output.^[1]^[4]^[5] Bruce Power leads globally in medical isotope production, supplying 40 percent of the world's cobalt-60 for cancer therapy and achieving the first commercial-scale production of lutetium-177 in a nuclear reactor.^[6]^[6] The operator has encountered regulatory challenges, including license violations from accelerated pressure tube degradation in reactors and unplanned shutdowns due to maintenance lapses, prompting federal oversight and corrective actions.^[7]^[8]^[9]

Overview

Company Profile and Ownership

Bruce Power L.P. is a privately held electricity generation company based in Tiverton, Ontario, Canada, focused on nuclear power production. It operates the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, comprising eight CANDU pressurized heavy-water reactors situated on the Bruce Peninsula along Lake Huron.^[2] The facility has a combined generating capacity of 6,232 megawatts and supplies roughly 30% of Ontario's electricity needs, contributing over 40% of Canada's non-emitting power output.^[2]^[10] The company functions under a long-term lease from the Province of Ontario to operate the station, with regulatory oversight by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. As Canada's pioneering private nuclear operator, Bruce Power emphasizes refurbishment programs to extend reactor life, targeting output increases beyond current levels through ongoing major component replacements on multiple units.^[2]^[11] Ownership of Bruce Power is structured as a limited partnership held by a consortium of investors. TC Energy Corporation and OMERS Administration Corporation each control 48.37% stakes, while the Power Workers' Union holds 2.23%; the remaining interest is divided among the Society of United Professionals and Bruce Power employees.^[12] This arrangement, stable since the early 2010s, reflects a balance between energy infrastructure expertise from TC Energy, pension fund investment from OMERS, and employee/union participation to align operational incentives.^[10]^[13]

Facilities and Operational Capacity

The Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, operated by Bruce Power, is situated near Tiverton, Ontario, on the eastern shore of [Lake Huron](/page/Lake Huron), approximately 250 kilometers northwest of Toronto. This facility consists of two adjacent power stations, Bruce A and Bruce B, each originally equipped with four CANDU-6 pressurized heavy-water reactors, for a total of eight units. Units A1 and A2 were permanently shut down in 1997 and 1995, respectively, due to economic and technical challenges during the 1990s. The remaining six units—Bruce A Units 3 and 4, and Bruce B Units 5 through 8—provide the station's operational capacity.^[2]^[14] These operating units deliver a combined net electrical generating capacity of approximately 6,232 megawatts, though gross output and uprates have been cited as reaching up to 6,550 megawatts under peak conditions. The station's design supports flexible load-following, with the capability to adjust output by up to 2,400 megawatts to respond to grid demands, enabling it to supply nearly 30 percent of Ontario's electricity requirements. As the world's largest operating nuclear power facility by capacity, Bruce Power's infrastructure includes extensive cooling systems utilizing Lake Huron water, on-site fuel handling facilities, and waste management structures, all regulated under the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.^[2]^[15]^[16] Ongoing major component replacement projects, such as those for Units 4 and 5 approved in 2025, are projected to extend operational lives by 30-40 years and incrementally boost total capacity toward 7,000 megawatts by the 2030s through efficiency improvements and power uprates. These refurbishments involve replacing pressure tubes, steam generators, and other critical components, maintaining high availability factors typically above 80 percent for active units.^[11]^[16]

History

Site Development and Early Reactors (1950s-1970s)

The Bruce Nuclear site, located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada, underwent initial development in the late 1950s as part of Canada's early nuclear power ambitions. In 1959, Ontario Hydro acquired land at Douglas Point for the construction of a prototype commercial-scale CANDU reactor, marking the site's entry into nuclear activities.^[17] Site preparation included alterations to local streams, such as the diversion of Stream C northward, to accommodate infrastructure needs.^[18] This phase represented a collaborative effort between Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and Ontario Hydro to demonstrate the viability of pressurized heavy-water reactor technology.^[19] Construction of the Douglas Point Nuclear Generating Station, a 200 MWe prototype CANDU reactor, commenced in the late 1950s and progressed through the early 1960s.^[14] The reactor achieved first electricity generation on January 7, 1967, and entered full commercial service on September 26, 1968, after validation of its design features including horizontal pressure tubes and on-power refueling.^[19] Operating until its shutdown in 1984, Douglas Point served as a critical testbed for CANDU scaling, informing subsequent commercial deployments while achieving a lifetime capacity factor of approximately 54%.^[19] Its success validated the site's suitability for expanded nuclear generation, prompting plans for larger stations. Building on Douglas Point's outcomes, construction of Bruce A Nuclear Generating Station began in 1969, with initial groundwork for Units 1 and 2 starting that year alongside a proposed bulk steam system.^[4] Formal construction on Bruce A advanced into the early 1970s, with Unit 2 groundwork in December 1970 and Unit 1 in June 1971; the project encompassed four 750 MWe CANDU-6 units designed for grid integration.^[20] By April 1973, an AECL heavy water plant at the site became operational to support reactor fueling.^[17] Unit 1 reached first criticality in December 1976 and connected to the grid in January 1977, followed by subsequent units entering service through the late 1970s, establishing Bruce A as a cornerstone of Ontario's electricity supply.^[21] These early reactors emphasized indigenous CANDU technology, prioritizing natural uranium fuel and heavy water moderation for energy independence.^[14]

Expansion and Peak Operations (1970s-1990s)

The construction of Bruce A units 1 through 4 advanced through the early 1970s under Ontario Hydro, with commissioning dates of September 1, 1977, for units 1 and 2, February 1, 1978, for unit 3, and January 18, 1979, for unit 4.^[3] Each unit featured a CANDU-6 reactor design with a net peak output ranging from 791 MW to 818 MW, yielding a combined Bruce A capacity of approximately 3,000 MWe.^[3] ^[14] This phase represented the initial major expansion at the site, building on the earlier Douglas Point prototype to scale up commercial nuclear generation for Ontario's growing electricity demands. Bruce B construction commenced in 1976, further expanding the facility with four additional CANDU-6 reactors.^[14] Units 5 through 8 entered service progressively, with unit 6 on September 14, 1984, unit 5 on March 1, 1985, unit 7 on April 10, 1986, and unit 8 on May 22, 1987.^[3] Matching Bruce A's per-unit output of around 750-817 MWe, the addition brought the total site capacity to eight reactors and over 6,000 MWe, positioning Bruce as one of the world's largest nuclear complexes by the late 1980s.^[14] Peak operations occurred in the 1980s and early 1990s, with the full complement of units demonstrating high reliability. In 1981, unit 1 achieved a 97% capacity factor, earning the top global ranking among reactors.^[3] By 1988, units 3, 4, 6, and 7 ranked in the world's top ten for performance, reflecting optimized fuel management across 480 channels per reactor and robust maintenance practices.^[3] These years saw Bruce supplying a substantial share of Ontario's baseload power, underscoring the site's role in the province's energy mix before economic pressures led to Bruce A unit curtailments starting in 1995.^[3]

Shutdowns, Privatization, and Restart (1990s-2000s)

In the mid-1990s, Ontario Hydro, facing a surplus of generating capacity amid declining electricity demand, initiated shutdowns at the Bruce A station. Unit 2 was mothballed in October 1995 following corrosion damage to its steam generators that originated in 1986. Units 1, 3, and 4 followed, with Unit 1 shutting down in October 1997, Unit 4 in March 1998, and Unit 3 in April 1998. These closures contributed to a shift in Ontario's energy mix, with coal-fired generation rising from 12% of the province's supply in 1995 to 29% by 2000.^[22]^[3]^[23] Ontario Hydro's mounting debt and operational challenges prompted provincial government restructuring in 1999, dividing the utility into five successor entities, including Ontario Power Generation (OPG). In July 2000, OPG signed a long-term lease agreement for the Bruce A and B stations with Bruce Power L.P., a private consortium comprising Cameco Corporation (31.6%), TransCanada Corporation (31.6%), BPC Generation Infrastructure Trust (31.6%), the Power Workers' Union (4%), and the Society of Energy Professionals (1.2%). British Energy initially held a significant stake before adjustments. Bruce Power assumed operational control in May 2001 under an 18-year lease, marking Canada's first private nuclear power operator.^[4]^[24]^[22]^[3] Under private management, Bruce Power prioritized restarting laid-up units to address Ontario's growing power needs. In 2001, the company confirmed plans to refurbish and return Units 3 and 4 to service, investing approximately C$725 million. Unit 4 synchronized to the grid on October 7, 2003, followed by Unit 3 on January 8, 2004, restoring 1,500 MW of capacity. These restarts demonstrated the viability of refurbishing older CANDU reactors, though the project exceeded initial cost estimates. Preparations for Units 1 and 2 began in 2005, but the early successes of Units 3 and 4 bolstered confidence in nuclear life extension.^[4]^[25]^[26]

Refurbishment and Life Extension (2010s-Present)

In 2015, Bruce Power signed an amended agreement with the Independent Electricity System Operator to refurbish Units 3 through 8, extending their operational life by approximately 30 years each through major component replacements and system upgrades.^[27]^[28] This Life-Extension Program, launched in 2016, targets all eight reactor units via phased replacements during planned outages, including pressure tubes, calandria tubes, and steam generators, to sustain output beyond original design limits of around 210,000 effective full-power hours.^[29]^[30] Refurbishment of Unit 2 began in 2016 as a 3.5-year project, involving feeder replacements and other upgrades, culminating in its return to commercial operation in June 2020 after completing work 169 days ahead of schedule.^[14]^[31] Unit 3 followed, with key milestones including calandria tube removal finished in July 2024—11 days ahead of schedule and setting a CANDU record—leading to full refurbishment completion in August 2024.^[32]^[33] Unit 4 refurbishment commenced in February 2025 for a three-year duration, marking the program's midpoint and focusing on similar core component exchanges to enable another 30-35 years of service.^[34] In April 2025, approval was granted for Unit 5's Major Component Replacement, the fourth such project in the sequence through 2033, prioritizing reliability enhancements amid rising demand for low-carbon power.^[11]^[27] Ongoing investments, including digital instrumentation upgrades for Units 5, 7, and 8 contracted in December 2024, support fleet-wide life extension to at least 2064 while maintaining a 80%+ capacity factor.^[35]^[33]

Current Operations

Nuclear Generating Units

The nuclear generating units at Bruce Power comprise eight CANDU pressurized heavy-water reactors (PHWRs), divided equally between the Bruce A and Bruce B stations, with Units 1–4 at Bruce A and Units 5–8 at Bruce B.^[2] These reactors, designed by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, utilize natural uranium oxide fuel in horizontal pressure tubes, with heavy water serving as both moderator and primary coolant to enable efficient neutron economy and online refueling without full shutdowns.^[2]^[14] Each unit has a gross electrical output of up to 826 megawatts, contributing to a combined site capacity of approximately 6,232 megawatts thermal, making Bruce Power the largest operating nuclear facility by total output in the world.^[36]^[2] The Bruce A units, constructed between 1969 and 1979, feature an initial design with four steam generators per unit, while the Bruce B units, built from 1976 to 1987, incorporate design enhancements including eight steam generators for improved efficiency and reliability.^[3]^[14] All eight units are currently operational, with Bruce A units having undergone extensive refurbishments and restarts from the early 2000s to 2012 to extend their service life beyond original design limits.^[2]^[37] Ongoing life-extension programs target operations through at least 2050, supported by major component replacements such as pressure tubes, calandria tubes, and steam generators to maintain high capacity factors exceeding 80%.^[28]^[30]

Refurbishment and Maintenance Programs

Bruce Power's Life-Extension Program, launched in 2016, encompasses systematic refurbishment through the replacement of aging systems and components across its eight reactor units, integrated into routinely scheduled maintenance outages to minimize disruptions to power generation.^[29] Central to this initiative is the Major Component Replacement (MCR) project, focusing on Units 3 through 8 to extend each unit's service life by about 30 years, targeting operations until approximately 2064 and increasing total site capacity beyond 7,000 MW.^[28]^[11] Valued at CAD 13 billion, the program constitutes Canada's largest private-sector clean energy infrastructure investment, with refurbishments proceeding in overlapping outages through 2033.^[38] The Unit 3 MCR began on March 1, 2023, involving removal and replacement of critical elements including reactor assemblies and eight steam generators, with the reactor removal phase completed ahead of schedule by August 2024.^[28]^[33] Unit 4's MCR outage commenced in February 2025, achieving the most successful defueling in CANDU history and advancing to component removal and installation phases.^[39] In April 2025, the Independent Electricity System Operator approved Unit 5's MCR under the amended Bruce Power Refurbishment Implementation Agreement, confirming adherence to cost and performance criteria.^[40] Maintenance programs support refurbishment by executing predefined regulatory inspections, refueling operations, and system upgrades during non-MCR outages for active units, such as vacuum building tests and radiation safety calibrations, ensuring ongoing reliability and regulatory compliance.^[41] These activities, often overlapping with life-extension work on Units 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8, prioritize safety and efficiency, with recent examples including Unit 7's predefined maintenance in March 2025.^[41]

Future and Planned Projects

Bruce C Nuclear Expansion

The Bruce C Project is a proposed expansion at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station site in Tiverton, Ontario, aimed at adding up to 4,800 megawatts (MW) of new nuclear generating capacity to meet growing electricity demands and support decarbonization goals.^[42]^[43] The initiative leverages the existing 932-hectare secured site, which already hosts Bruce A and Bruce B stations producing about 30% of Ontario's electricity, to construct additional units without requiring new greenfield development.^[44]^[45] As outlined in Bruce Power's Initial Project Description submitted in August 2024, the project would involve up to four large-scale reactors or equivalent capacity, operating for 60 to 100 years, with construction potentially starting in the early 2030s if approved.^[46]^[43] The project aligns with Ontario's Powering Ontario's Growth plan, which emphasizes nuclear expansion for reliable baseload power amid rising demand from electrification and industry.^[47] In July 2023, the federal government granted Bruce Power approval to initiate predevelopment planning for four to five additional reactors, building on site infrastructure like cooling systems and transmission lines.^[48] A final investment decision is targeted for late 2026, pending completion of environmental and regulatory reviews.^[48] The proposal has garnered support from Indigenous partners, including the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, whose territory encompasses the site, through ongoing consultations.^[42] Regulatory progress includes the completion of the planning phase for a federal integrated Impact Assessment in August 2025, which evaluates potential environmental, health, social, and economic effects.^[49]^[50] Public input sessions, such as those held in Goderich, Owen Sound, and Walkerton in November 2025, seek community feedback on the project description and assessment scope.^[51]^[52] Proponents highlight the project's potential to create thousands of jobs and enhance energy security, while critics have raised concerns over waste management and long-term site impacts, though no construction has commenced and designs remain flexible to incorporate advanced reactor technologies if viable.^[44]^[53]

Exploration of Small Modular Reactors and Regional Expansions

Bruce Power has engaged in preliminary assessments of small modular reactors (SMRs) as part of broader efforts to evaluate advanced nuclear technologies for potential deployment in remote or decentralized applications. In 2018, the company signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NuScale Power to develop a business case for NuScale's SMR technology in Canada, focusing on evaluation, planning, and potential adaptation to Canadian regulatory and market conditions.^[54] Separately, in 2021, Bruce Power collaborated with Westinghouse Electric Company to explore the eVinci micro-reactor, a compact, factory-built design intended for off-grid power generation with a small footprint, autonomous control, and remote monitoring capabilities, emphasizing its suitability for industrial or isolated sites rather than large-scale grid integration.^[55] These initiatives reflect exploratory phases without committed construction, contrasting with Ontario's primary SMR advancements at Darlington by Ontario Power Generation, and align with Bruce Power's role in Canada's SMR action plan as a key nuclear operator assessing technology viability.^[56] Regional expansions center on the Bruce C project, a proposed addition of up to 4,800 megawatts (MW) of new nuclear generating capacity at the existing Bruce site on the eastern shore of Lake Huron, within the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. Announced as part of the "Powering Ontario's Growth" plan, the project underwent pre-development work culminating in the submission of an Initial Project Description (IPD) to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada in August 2024, outlining potential operations for 60 to 100 years and emphasizing large-scale pressurized heavy-water reactors to meet Ontario's growing electricity demands amid electrification and net-zero goals.^[46]^[43] The initiative targets the "Clean Energy Frontier" region encompassing Bruce, Grey, and Huron counties, projecting economic impacts including over 20,000 jobs during construction and sustained operations, while integrating with ongoing refurbishments of existing units to extend site life beyond 2050.^[45]^[57] Public consultations, such as sessions held in November 2024 in Goderich, Owen Sound, and Walkerton, seek input on environmental, Indigenous, and community considerations prior to formal environmental assessment.^[51] This expansion builds on federal and provincial support, including 2023 endorsements for nuclear capacity growth, prioritizing reliability and low-carbon output over smaller modular alternatives at the site.^[58]

Isotope Production Initiatives

Production of Medical Isotopes

Bruce Power initiated medical isotope production over 35 years ago with cobalt-60, a radioisotope utilized in brachytherapy for cancer treatment and sterilization of medical equipment.^[6] In 2019, the company entered a collaboration and marketing agreement to develop advanced systems for additional isotopes.^[59] A pivotal advancement occurred with the deployment of the Isotope Production System (IPS), an innovative technology enabling on-line extraction of medical isotopes from operating CANDU reactors without halting electricity generation.^[60] The first IPS, installed in Unit 7, produced its initial medical isotope batch in June 2022 and achieved commercial production of lutetium-177 (Lu-177) in October 2022, positioning Bruce Power as the world's first commercial nuclear power reactor to generate this isotope commercially.^[61]^[62] Lu-177, with a half-life of approximately 6.7 days, is applied in radiopharmaceuticals for targeted therapy against prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors.^[63] The IPS operates by irradiating yttrium-176 targets within the reactor's moderator water, followed by chemical processing to yield Lu-177, supporting global supply chains through partnerships with Isogen (a Framatome-Kinectrics joint venture) and ITM Radiopharma for processing and distribution.^[62]^[64] In August 2025, a second IPS was commissioned in Unit 6, enabling 24/7 production and aligning with Ontario's goal to double medical isotope output by 2030.^[65] This expansion involves the Saugeen Ojibway Nation for equity participation and community benefits.^[65] Bruce Power continues to explore production of other isotopes, leveraging its CANDU fleet to enhance Canada's role in secure, reactor-based supplies amid global shortages.^[66]^[67]

Technological Systems and Innovations

Bruce Power operates eight CANDU-6 pressurized heavy-water reactors, which utilize natural uranium fuel in bundles within horizontal pressure tubes, a heavy water moderator surrounding the calandria, and heavy water as both coolant and moderator to achieve criticality without enrichment.^[3] This design permits online refueling, allowing continuous operation by replacing fuel channels without full shutdowns, a feature that supports high capacity factors exceeding 80% in recent years.^[3] Key systems include the steam generators, which transfer heat from reactor coolant to produce steam for turbine-driven electricity generation, and the fueling machine system for precise fuel handling.^[3] Bruce B units incorporate design enhancements over Bruce A, such as improved steam generators and control systems for better efficiency and reliability.^[3] Innovations in maintenance and refurbishment include the deployment of automated tooling developed in collaboration with ATS Industrial Automation, enabling precise inspection and handling of reactor components to minimize radiation exposure and downtime.^[68] In 2024, Bruce Power introduced the first six-axis robotic systems for CANDU reactor refurbishments, facilitating complex tasks like calandria tube installation through projects such as AutoCT.^[69] During the Unit 4 major component replacement project, initiated in 2025, advanced techniques for replacing 480 fuel channels, 960 feeder tubes, and eight steam generators incorporate robotic assistance and optimized sequencing to extend reactor life by 30-40 years.^[16] Additionally, adoption of laser cleaning technology removes contaminants from equipment surfaces without chemicals or abrasives, reducing waste generation and enhancing safety in decontamination processes.^[70] A 10-year agreement with Candu Energy, extended through 2035, supports ongoing innovations in fuel, reactor physics, and operational efficiency tailored to Bruce's CANDU fleet.^[71] These advancements prioritize empirical improvements in safety, reliability, and output while leveraging the inherent flexibility of CANDU technology for dual-use applications like isotope production.^[72]

Safety and Regulatory Framework

Safety Performance and Achievements

Bruce Power has maintained a strong safety record since resuming operations at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, with no major radiological releases or significant safety incidents reported in its operational history under current management. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has consistently rated Bruce Power's facilities highly in annual regulatory oversight reports, including "fully satisfactory" assessments for emergency response capabilities and low accident frequency rates, such as those noted in 2019 where injury rates remained below industry benchmarks.^[73]^[74] In recent years, the company has achieved its highest safety performance marks in CNSC evaluations over a 14-year period, reflecting ongoing improvements in operational reliability and risk management.^[75] Key performance indicators underscore this record, including the adoption of Severe Injury Rate (SIR) as a corporate metric in 2023, which showed year-over-year reductions, and exemplary corporate performance evaluations by the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), placing the site under normal monitoring with no elevated concerns.^[76]^[77] Operational milestones, such as Unit 7's 646 consecutive days of reliable, incident-free operation ending in April 2024, demonstrate sustained safe generation of electricity and medical isotopes.^[78] Achievements include the 2025 Canadian Occupational Safety 5-Star Safety Cultures award, recognizing Bruce Power's prioritization of employee safety and cultural commitment to hazard elimination.^[79] Additionally, in 2023, the company received a Top Innovative Practice (TIP) Award from the industry for implementing an advanced safety system during major refurbishments, enhancing real-time monitoring and response protocols.^[80] These recognitions align with Bruce Power's self-reported emphasis on safety as its core value, supported by rigorous training and low-dose radiation exposure metrics compliant with CNSC limits.^[81]

Oversight by Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulates Bruce Power's operations at the Bruce A and B Nuclear Generating Stations through licensing, continuous monitoring, and compliance enforcement under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. Bruce Power holds an operating licence issued on October 1, 2018, valid until September 30, 2028, following a public hearing process that extended the previous licence term by 10 years.^[2]^[3] This licence imposes conditions on safety, security, and environmental protection, with CNSC authority to amend terms as needed, such as the October 2023 amendment removing a pressure tube fracture toughness condition and adding a new fitness-for-service requirement.^[82] CNSC maintains permanent staff onsite at the stations to conduct unannounced inspections, verify adherence to licence conditions, and monitor daily activities across 14 safety and control areas, including human performance, radiation protection, and emergency management.^[2]^[83] These activities include field verifications of equipment, procedures, and worker practices, ensuring real-time compliance without reliance on self-reporting alone.^[84] CNSC has also implemented regulatory hold points during refurbishments, such as for Bruce B Unit 6, where all holds were cleared by September 9, 2023, prior to full power restart.^[31] Annual Regulatory Oversight Reports (RORs) summarize CNSC assessments of Bruce Power's performance, rating compliance in safety areas as satisfactory in the 2023 report, with no serious process failures identified.^[85] Inspections confirmed radiological releases and worker/public doses remained below regulatory limits, while event reports—covering unplanned transients or trips—were low in number and managed without safety impacts.^[85] CNSC reviews these reports quarterly, verifying corrective actions to prevent recurrence, as in cases of elevated hydrogen uptake in pressure tubes reported in 2021.^[86]^[87] Public participation is integrated into oversight, with annual hearings allowing input on RORs and licence amendments, such as the December 2024 session on Bruce Power's safety performance.^[81] Enforcement tools include orders, as issued in July 2021 to address operational requirements at Bruce A and B, demonstrating CNSC's capacity for directive intervention when compliance gaps arise.^[88] Overall, CNSC's framework emphasizes proactive verification to maintain nuclear safety standards at the site.^[83]

Emergency Preparedness

Nuclear Response Team Operations

The Nuclear Response Team (NRT) at Bruce Power comprises armed security personnel trained for tactical interventions in high-risk security incidents, particularly those involving nuclear materials categorized as Category 1, 2, or 3 threats or direct risks to human life.^[89] Established in response to post-9/11 regulatory mandates from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), which required armed capabilities after previously unarmed security protocols, the NRT achieved full operational status in March 2003.^[89] It operates as a specialized unit within Bruce Power's integrated Emergency and Protective Services department, coordinating with fire services and broader emergency management to address site-specific threats at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station.^[90] In operational scenarios, the NRT follows a structured Tactical Deployment Plan, initiating response through the NATRAIDER M decision-making framework, which encompasses steps such as notification, attendance, threat assessment, and resolution.^[89] An NRT Sergeant leads on-ground tactics, while the Duty Security First Line Manager serves as initial Incident Commander, escalating to a Tactical Incident Commander as needed; coordination occurs via a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) for joint operations.^[89] The team maintains readiness for rapid deployment, with enhanced procedures enabling equipment mobilization and functionality within 30 minutes of activation, supporting an all-hazards approach that includes severe accident management.^[91] Training for NRT officers emphasizes tactical proficiency aligned with provincial police standards, incorporating patrol duties, weapons handling, and scenario-based simulations to ensure interoperability with external responders.^[89] Officers undergo rigorous preparation for live-fire engagements and physical demands, as demonstrated in international competitions; the NRT secured first place in the U.S. National SWAT Championship for four consecutive years from 2008 to 2011, outperforming teams from the U.S., Germany, and elsewhere in events testing organization, marksmanship, and endurance under full tactical gear.^[92]^[93]^[94] In 2009, for instance, the team won amid 18 entrants, including elite units like Germany's GSG-9, highlighting their precision in eight live-fire stages.^[95] These achievements underscore the team's operational edge, though CNSC evaluations focus primarily on regulatory compliance rather than competitive performance.^[74] The NRT participates in periodic exercises, such as Exercise Huron Endeavour in October 2022, which validated multi-agency response protocols involving over 1,000 participants and confirmed Bruce Power's emergency capabilities as fully satisfactory per CNSC assessments.^[96]^[6]^[74] This integration ensures the team contributes to site-wide preparedness without supplanting radiological emergency functions handled by complementary staff.^[97]

Economic and Societal Impact

Contributions to Energy Supply and Reliability

Bruce Power operates the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station on the eastern shore of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada, which has an installed capacity of approximately 6,232 megawatts (MW) across eight CANDU reactors divided between Bruce A and Bruce B units.^[2] This facility generates about 30% of Ontario's electricity, making it the province's single largest source of power and a critical baseload provider for the grid.^[98] ^[15] As a private nuclear operator, Bruce Power delivers this output at costs 30% below the provincial average for residential power production, supporting affordable energy access while maintaining emissions-free generation.^[15] ^[56] The station's reliability stems from its design as a continuous baseload source, with recent innovations and investments enabling peak output up to 6,550 MW.^[99] Refurbishment projects, including the restart of Units 3 and 4 in 2012, added 3,000 MW of reliable capacity back to the grid, enhancing system stability amid fluctuating demand from renewables and other intermittent sources.^[15] Ongoing major component replacements, such as those approved for Unit 5 in 2025, aim to extend operational life and increase total capacity beyond 7,000 MW by refurbishing six reactors, ensuring long-term supply security.^[11] Nuclear generation from Bruce Power contributes to Ontario's overall grid reliability, where nuclear accounts for roughly 50% of total electricity production, complemented by hydro at 24%.^[100] This baseload role mitigates risks from variable weather-dependent sources, providing flexible output—up to one-third of Bruce's capacity can adjust to grid needs—while avoiding the intermittency challenges of wind and solar.^[14] The facility's performance supports provincial energy strategies, including pre-development for new nuclear builds to meet rising demand projected through 2050.^[101]

Employment, Economic Benefits, and Community Engagement

Bruce Power directly employs more than 4,200 highly skilled workers, primarily in engineering, maintenance, operations, and support roles at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station.^[102] These positions include full-time staff numbering around 4,169, with additional part-time roles and contract opportunities during refurbishment projects, such as the Major Component Replacement program, which adds up to 3,000 contract jobs.^[103] Overall, the company's operations sustain 22,000 direct and indirect jobs annually across Ontario, including supplier and spinoff employment in the nuclear supply chain.^[36] The economic benefits extend beyond payroll, with Bruce Power's annual operations injecting $4.03 billion into Ontario's economy through direct spending, procurement, and induced effects.^[36] This includes an estimated $3.5 billion boost to provincial gross domestic product from operational expenditures, alongside $1.43 billion in household spending within the Grey, Bruce, and Huron counties region known as the Clean Energy Frontier.^[104] The Life-Extension Program further amplifies these impacts by creating an additional 5,000 direct and indirect jobs yearly and generating $10 billion in annual economic activity from privately funded infrastructure investments.^[105] Over 90% of capital and resource costs remain within Ontario and Canada, supporting local industries and tax revenues, though specific tax payment figures are not publicly detailed in recent reports.^[105] In community engagement, Bruce Power invests over $2 million annually in local charities and non-profits, emphasizing health, youth development, environmental sustainability, and Indigenous relations.^[106] In 2023, donations totaled $2.06 million, including $400,000 through the Indigenous Community Investment Fund to support First Nations initiatives.^[36] Notable recent contributions include $1 million in May 2025 to establish youth hubs providing mental health and social services in Grey, Bruce, and Huron counties; $145,000 in October 2025 to fund addiction treatment in the Saugeen Ojibway Nation; and $100,000 in October 2025 to three regional hospices.^[107]^[108]^[109] The company also fosters engagement via its Visitors' Centre, which welcomed approximately 15,000 people in 2024 for educational tours, and maintains high local approval, with 85% of residents holding a positive impression and 93% acknowledging its job creation role.^[105] Programs like emergency preparedness outreach and physician recruitment further integrate operations with regional needs.^[110]

Environmental Considerations

Low-Carbon Energy Production and Climate Role

Bruce Power operates eight CANDU pressurized heavy-water reactors at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, with a total capacity of approximately 6,400 megawatts, generating over 40 terawatt-hours of electricity annually and supplying about 30 percent of Ontario's power needs. This output relies on nuclear fission, which emits no greenhouse gases during operation, positioning it as a baseload source of low-carbon energy essential for grid stability.^[105]^[56]^[101] Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for nuclear power, including fuel mining, construction, and decommissioning, range from 3 to 30 grams of CO2-equivalent per kilowatt-hour across peer-reviewed assessments, comparable to onshore wind (11 grams median) and lower than concentrated solar power (48 grams) or hydropower (24 grams). In contrast, combined-cycle natural gas emits around 490 grams and coal over 820 grams per kilowatt-hour. These figures underscore nuclear's minimal direct climate impact relative to fossil fuels, with Bruce Power's operations avoiding emissions equivalent to displacing fossil generation on Ontario's grid.^[111]^[112] The facility played a pivotal role in Ontario's coal phase-out, completed in 2014, where expanded nuclear capacity—including Bruce's contributions—replaced coal's 20-25 percent share of generation, preventing an estimated 30-35 million tonnes of annual CO2 emissions province-wide. Today, Bruce supports Ontario's electricity carbon intensity of roughly 20-30 grams per kilowatt-hour, among the world's lowest, enabling electrification of transport and industry without increasing emissions. Nationally, Canadian nuclear avoids about 80 million tonnes of CO2 yearly, with Bruce as the largest contributor.^[113]^[114] Bruce Power's high capacity factor, exceeding 90 percent, provides reliable dispatchable power, unlike intermittent renewables requiring backups that can elevate system emissions. The operator committed to net-zero site GHG emissions by 2027, ahead of peers, through electrification and low-carbon fuels, further minimizing indirect footprint. This reliability supports broader climate goals, as affirmed by analyses emphasizing nuclear's necessity for limiting warming to 1.5°C via consistent low-carbon supply.^[115]^[36]^[116]

Waste Management and Long-Term Sustainability

Bruce Power generates radioactive waste classified as low-level (such as contaminated mops, rags, and system components), intermediate-level (including ion exchange resins, filters, and reactor core components), and high-level (used nuclear fuel bundles), alongside non-radioactive waste like hazardous materials, recyclables, and conventional landfill items.^[117] Waste volumes are minimized through operational planning and assessments, with radioactive waste comprising a small fraction relative to the energy produced.^[117] Used nuclear fuel, the primary high-level waste, consists of fuel bundles that each power approximately 100 homes for a year before removal from reactors.^[117] Following discharge, bundles are initially stored in deep water-filled pools at the station for about 10 years to dissipate residual heat and radiation.^[117] They are then transferred to cement-lined, steel-reinforced dry storage containers for interim above-ground containment, monitored under Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) oversight.^[117] As of June 2022, Canada's total inventory of approximately 3.2 million used fuel bundles occupied a volume equivalent to nine hockey rinks at a depth of one meter.^[117] Low- and intermediate-level radioactive wastes are processed, packaged, and stored on an interim basis at the Western Waste Management Facility (WWMF) operated by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) on the Bruce site.^[117] Since the 1970s, OPG has managed transportation, processing, and storage of all radioactive waste from Bruce A and B units under contract, with Bruce Power fully funding these activities in compliance with federal regulations.^[117] Non-radioactive wastes are diverted where possible, achieving a 70.5% diversion rate for conventional waste in 2024 through recycling and reuse programs.^[74] Long-term management of radioactive waste falls under the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), which Bruce Power supports through funding as required by Canada's Nuclear Fuel Waste Act.^[117] The NWMO's plan centers on a deep geological repository (DGR) for permanent disposal of used fuel, with site selection completed in 2024 favoring the Ignace area and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation following a 14-year community-engaged process that included referendums.^[74] This approach aligns with international standards for isolating high-level waste in stable geological formations for millennia, ensuring containment without reliance on active maintenance.^[74] Sustainability is embedded in Bruce Power's waste practices via a life-cycle management framework emphasizing reduction, reuse, and recycling, alongside full producer responsibility to avoid intergenerational costs.^[74] Radioactive waste handling poses negligible environmental or health risks during interim storage, as verified by ongoing monitoring, while the compact volume of nuclear waste—compared to fossil fuel byproducts—supports the long-term viability of nuclear energy as a low-carbon source.^[117]^[74] Transition to the DGR will enable secure, passive disposal, with Bruce Power's operations adhering to CNSC and International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards throughout.^[74]

Controversies and Criticisms

Refurbishment Costs and Delays

The refurbishment of Bruce A Units 1 and 2, initiated in 2006 to return the reactors to service after prolonged outages, encountered substantial cost overruns and schedule delays. The original estimated cost was $2.75 billion CAD, but by July 2008, confirmed overruns reached $650 million, elevating the total to $3.4 billion, with potential additional increases of up to $340 million due to technical challenges, representing nearly a 36% escalation over the initial budget.^[118] Delays stemmed primarily from difficulties with a novel robotic tool developed by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited for replacing pressure tubes and calandria tubes, pushing Unit 1's restart from late 2009 to mid-2011 and Unit 2's to late 2011, over a year behind the original timeline.^[118] In contrast, the Major Component Replacement (MCR) program for Units 3 through 8, formalized in a 2015 agreement valued at $13 billion CAD to extend operations by approximately 30 years, places full financial risk for any cost overruns or delays on Bruce Power, shielding Ontario ratepayers.^[119] The project commenced with Unit 6 in January 2020, experiencing an initial two-month delay attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, though overall progress has remained on track or ahead of schedule for completed phases.^[120] Unit 6 returned to full service in 2023 ahead of schedule and on budget, while Unit 3's calandria tube removal in July 2024 finished 11 days early, with its fixed refurbishment cost set at $1.9 billion CAD, aligning with contractual parameters.^[121]^[122]^[123] Despite these outcomes, credit rating agencies have highlighted inherent risks of cost overruns and delays in nuclear life-extension projects, citing complexities in supply chains, labor shortages, and regulatory approvals as factors that could impact future units (4, 5, 7, and 8, scheduled through 2033).^[124] Bruce Power's assumption of risks under the agreement mitigates direct public cost exposure, but critics, including environmental groups, argue that historical nuclear refurbishments globally often exceed estimates, potentially straining the operator's finances if unforeseen issues arise.^[125] As of 2025, no major overruns have been reported for the MCR program, with ongoing benchmarking against Ontario Power Generation's parallel efforts emphasizing efficiency gains from lessons learned.^[121]

Public and Environmental Concerns

Public opposition to Bruce Power's operations has centered on nuclear safety incidents, including radiation-related events. In February 2010, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) investigated a potential exposure affecting up to 217 workers at the Bruce site due to airborne radioactivity, though doses were later determined to be below regulatory limits.^[126] In November 2009, a routine air sample at Unit 1 detected elevated radiation levels, prompting an industry-wide review of similar CANDU reactor issues, with no off-site impact reported.^[127] More recent events include a March 2025 declaration of elevated tritium levels at Bruce B and an unposted radiation hazard on Unit 5, both reported to the CNSC without public health effects.^[41] Heavy water leaks, such as one identified on April 25, 2023, at Unit 4, and a moderator spill at Unit 1 leading to a radiation alert, have also fueled scrutiny, though operations staff contained them per protocol.^[128]^[129] Environmental concerns have highlighted impacts on Lake Huron aquatic life. In February 2025, a large volume of gizzard shad became entrapped and died in Bruce Power's intake channel, prompting an internal investigation; the company attributed it to natural fish behavior during cold weather, with no broader ecosystem disruption found.^[130] Similar impingement events since mid-January 2025 reportedly killed millions of fish, raising questions about cooling water intake designs despite compliance with CNSC limits on thermal plumes and entrainment.^[131] Environmental groups have criticized the station's monitoring for understating risks, including potential tritium releases into the lake, though CNSC assessments in 2024 confirmed surrounding waters meet safety standards.^[132]^[133] Expansion proposals, including the Bruce C project and refurbishments, have drawn significant public and cross-border opposition over waste management and Great Lakes contamination risks. U.S. Great Lakes lawmakers in March 2023 urged rejection of near-site nuclear waste burial plans, citing threats to shared water resources from potential leaks or transport accidents.^[134] Local resistance in South Bruce to a deep geological repository, voiced in 2024 community sessions and by figures like David Suzuki, emphasizes inadequate consultation with Indigenous groups and long-term disposal uncertainties for spent fuel stored on-site.^[135]^[136] A July 2023 petition opposed Ontario's preliminary studies for new reactors at Bruce, arguing heightened accident risks amid aging infrastructure like deteriorated pressure tubes.^[137]^[138] Despite these, Bruce Power maintains transparency through public reporting, with CNSC oversight verifying no elevated public radiation doses.^[139]^[133]

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Clean Energy Frontier - Bruce Power
Bruce Power's annual operational spending boosts provincial gross domestic product (GDP) by an estimated $3.5 billion and adding in induced economic effects, ...
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[PDF] 2024 Bruce Power Annual Review: The future is nuclear
Jan 4, 2024 · From our success in operating one of the largest nuclear facilities in the world with a record high capacity factor while at the same time ...
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Corporate Social Responsibility - Bruce Power
Bruce Power donates over $2 million every year to community charities and non-profit organizations. We are proud to deliver clean, reliable, nuclear power to ...Missing: engagement | Show results with:engagement
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Bruce Power donates $1 million to support creation of youth hubs
May 2, 2025 · Bruce Power has donated $1 million to an organization working to establish youth hubs across Grey, Bruce and Huron counties to provide access to care, ...Missing: engagement | Show results with:engagement<|separator|>
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Bruce Power and its supplier partners donate $145000 to support ...
Oct 7, 2025 · Bruce Power and its supplier partners have donated $145,000 to help in the battle against addiction and suicide in the Saugeen Ojibway ...
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https://www.kincardinenews.com/news/local-news/bruce-power-and-partners-donate-100000-to-3-area-hospices
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Community Programs - Bruce Power
Bruce Power's community programs include Indigenous Relations, Emergency Preparedness, Environment and Sustainability, and Physician Recruitment.Missing: donations | Show results with:donations
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Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Electricity
Sep 3, 2024 · Over its life-cycle, nuclear produces about the same amount of CO2-equivalent emissions per unit of electricity as wind, and about one-third ...
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[PDF] Comparison of Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Various ...
Averaging the results of the studies places nuclear energy's 30 tonnes CO2e/GWh emission intensity at. 7% of the emission intensity of natural gas, and only 3% ...
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[PDF] Clean Electricity Standard (CES) Consultation - Bruce Power
As a reliable source of clean energy, nuclear helps avoid 80 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year in Canada (equal to removing 15 million cars from the ...
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Carbon-Free Electricity - Ontario's Nuclear Advantage
In Canada alone, nuclear power helps avoid 80 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year – equivalent to removing 15 million cars from the road.
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[PDF] Bruce Power 2023 Sustainability Report
Bruce Power addresses climate change with innovative solutions, supports decarbonization, and aims for Net Zero GHG emissions by 2027, using an integrated ...<|separator|>
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[PDF] Nuclear Energy for a Net Zero World
Over the past five decades, nuclear power has cumulatively avoided the emission of about 70 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon dioxide (CO2) and continues to avoid more.
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[PDF] Bruce Power Facts - Waste Management
When removed from the reactor, the used nuclear fuel bundles are placed in deep water-filled pools within the stations to manage their residual heat and ...
[118]
Setbacks slow Bruce Power reactor restarts - Toronto Star
First the cost overrun was announced. Now it's the dreaded delay. Nuclear operator Bruce Power originally hoped the two reactors it was refurbishing would ...
[119]
Bruce Power to spend $13B to refurbish 6 nuclear units | CBC News
Dec 3, 2015 · Bruce Power will spend $13 billion to refurbish six of the eight nuclear reactors at its generating station near Kincardine, Ont., and assume all risks for ...
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Bruce Power marks first year of refurbishment project
Feb 24, 2021 · Bruce Power's Major Component Replacement project remains on track despite a two-month delay caused by the pandemic, the company said yesterday.
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Fitch Rates Bruce Power's Senior Unsecured Notes 'BBB+'
Dec 9, 2024 · MCR Work Remains on Track: Bruce Power completed the Unit 6 Major Component Replacement (MCR) project ahead of schedule and on budget ...
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Bruce Power completes Unit 3 MCR reactor removal series ahead of ...
Aug 2, 2024 · The Unit 3 MCR is the second of six refurbishment projects set to extend the Bruce Power site's operational life to 2064, supporting the ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
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Bruce Power Unit 3 Refurbishment to Proceed
Mar 17, 2022 · The final fixed cost of the Unit 3 refurbishment is $1.9 billion and is in line with the contract parameters. The cost also includes specific ...Missing: overrun | Show results with:overrun
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Morningstar DBRS Changes Trends on Bruce Power L.P. to Positive ...
Apr 7, 2025 · This is partially offset by relatively heavy capex required for the MCR, cost overrun and delay risks of the life-extension projects, and the ...
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Comment on Bruce Powers plan to build four more reactors
Oct 29, 2024 · Our governments should not be wasting tax dollars on any nuclear project whether it be a large reactor, an SMR, a new build or a refurbishment.
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Nuclear watchdog investigates possible mass radiation exposure
Feb 16, 2010 · The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission says as many as 217 workers may have been exposed to radioactivity at the Bruce nuclear power station ...
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Radiation Leak Spurs Industry-wide Investigation - EF News
Last November 26, a routine air sample taken at Bruce Power's No. 1 reactor on Lake Huron near Owen Sound detected elevated levels of radiation. The incident is ...
[128]
Bruce A Update
Apr 26, 2023 · On April 25, a leakage of heavy water from Unit 4 was identified by operations staff who safely removed the unit from service.Missing: radiation | Show results with:radiation
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Events Reporting: Nuclear Power Plants
Date of event: February 2, 2023. Bruce Power Nuclear Generating Station ... CNSC inspectors were onsite and confirmed that the station was safely shut down.
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Bruce Power investigating after fish trapped in intake channel
Mar 26, 2025 · Bruce Power said that back in February a large volume of gizzard shad became entrapped and died in its intake channel.
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Millions of fish killed at Bruce nuclear plant : r/ontario - Reddit
Mar 23, 2025 · Bruce Power acknowledges that a 'large number' of fish have died after getting trapped in their intake system since mid-January.
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Environmentalists worry about relationship between Bruce Power ...
Apr 13, 2015 · They say their review of the most recent and publicly available safety documentation reveals the station's accident risk has increased ...
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Bruce A and B Nuclear Generating Stations
May 17, 2024 · Bruce Power operates the Bruce A Nuclear Generating Station and Bruce B Nuclear Generating Station, which house a total of 8 CANDU reactors, ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
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'We don't want it': Great Lakes lawmakers reject Canada's nuclear ...
Mar 22, 2023 · Great Lakes lawmakers reject Canada's nuclear waste proposal. A bipartisan resolution released today urges Joe Biden to raise the issue with Justin Trudeau ...
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'A great big smile' vs. disappointment in southern Ontario ... - CBC
Nov 29, 2024 · The Municipality of South Bruce was one of two regions being considered to host spent nuclear fuel from Bruce Power, the nuclear plant located ...
[136]
David Suzuki among experts speaking at info session against South ...
Oct 7, 2024 · Suzuki cannot continue with this anti nuclear fear mongering. Nuclear power is perfect for Ontario, we fuel our reactors with Canadian uranium, ...Bruce Nuclear Generating Station on the shores of Lake Huron ...Ontario starts pre-development work for new, large-scale nuclear plantMore results from www.reddit.com
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Petition · Oppose the Expansion of Nuclear Power in Canada
Jul 17, 2023 · Todd Smith, Ontario Minister of Energy, has announced in July 2023 that preliminary studies are being done with Bruce Power to explore the ...
[138]
Pressure tubes at Bruce Nuclear Generating Station deteriorated
Jan 23, 2023 · Canada's nuclear industry had stumbled onto a congenital defect in the CANDU design. Subjected to high temperatures, pressures and intense ...<|separator|>
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Commitment to Openness and Transparency - Bruce Power
Bruce Power is committed to ensuring information is communicated on an ongoing and timely basis and reflects both the public's perception of risk and the level ...