85% of Local Residents Support Bruce Extension

Recent polling shows 85% of Bruce, Grey and Huron county residents support Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Program, up 6% from 2014.

Residents said they support life extension, which includes Major Component Replacement Projects on Units 3-8 between 2020 and ’36, because it will create jobs (20%), it’s necessary (10%), they like nuclear power (8%) and it’s clean / good for the environment (7%), among other reasons.

Bruce Power signed a long-term agreement with the Independent Electricity System Operator in 2015 that will see six Bruce Power units operate through to 2064 after undergoing a Life-Extension Program between 2016 and 2053. This means 30% of Ontario’s electricity will be provided by Bruce Power for decades, as outlined in the 2013 Long-Term Energy Plan. The maintenance program will result in 22,000 direct and indirect jobs and $4 billion in annual economic investment across Ontario, where 90% of Bruce Power’s spending occurs.

“We conduct regular polling in our region and across Ontario in order to keep our finger on the pulse of our communities,” said James Scongack, Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Environment. “We enjoy good community engagement and support, but that’s something we will never take for granted. That’s why we continuously communicate our site happenings, and meet face-to-face with local residents, Indigenous communities and municipal officials as often as possible. This polling proves our efforts have helped increase the understanding of Bruce Power’s role in Ontario’s energy mix, and the importance of reliable and carbon-free nuclear power.”

The maintenance program will result in 22,000 direct and indirect jobs and $4 billion in annual economic investment across Ontario, where 90% of Bruce Power’s spending occurs.

Some of the other questions in the latest polling found 52% of residents are ‘somewhat knowledgeable’ of nuclear technology, with 14% saying they are ‘very knowledgeable,’ up from 8% in 2014. 93% of residents agree the Bruce Power facility operates safely, and that Bruce Power is a good community citizen (92%), while 90% have confidence in the security measures at Bruce Power and believe Bruce Power is involved with the community in a positive way.