Alberta Nuclear Energy Engagement Report
The Alberta Government released the Alberta Nuclear Energy Engagement Panel Report recently, with Hon. Chantelle de Jonge chairing this province-wide engagement exercise, Participation was broad and included more than 4,443 responses to an initial public survey, 1,472 responses to a second survey, 50 Request for Information (RFI) submissions, more than 400 webinar participants, more than 230 attendees at in-person public sessions, meetings with more than 30 Indigenous communities, written submissions from 17 Indigenous communities and organizations, and meetings with 51 municipal representatives.
Nuclear energy is new to Albertans, and the engagement reflected that reality. We heard genuine interest alongside thoughtful questions about what nuclear energy could mean for the province. Just as importantly, participants emphasized that any consideration of nuclear energy must take into account safety, affordability, environmental protection, long-term stewardship, and respect for Indigenous rights and local priorities. The Nuclear Energy Engagement and Advisory Panel thanks all Albertans, Indigenous communities and organizations, municipalities and industry representatives who took part and shared their perspectives. The time and care brought to this engagement showed how much people across Alberta value being part of energy conversations that affect their future.
Economic benefits were viewed with varying levels of optimism, depending on the stakeholder group. Many participants could see the potential for jobs, training, municipal revenue, and supplier growth, with discussions about how the benefits would reach local communities without taxpayers, ratepayers, or municipalities bearing the risks. The areas where participants expressed a need for more information or potential concerns related to how nuclear facilities operate, safety and emergency management, how radiation is monitored, and how waste is decommissioned. Environmental effects and water use were also discussed frequently, with participants looking for solutions on how nuclear development would address cumulative pressures affecting rivers, wetlands, fish, wildlife, and traditional land use.
