News Release - August 30, 2007 

VICTORIA - Opposition Energy Critic John Horgan is calling on Energy Minister Richard Neufeld to stand up for British Columbians following the announcement of a proposed nuclear power plant in Alberta.

"This has become a recurring theme with this Minister. Instead of throwing up his hands and saying that there is nothing he can do about it, Minister Neufeld needs to stand up for B.C.'s interests," said Horgan, the MLA for Malahat - Juan de Fuca. "British Columbians don't want a nuclear power plant next door, and our government needs to make that crystal clear to the Premier of Alberta."

On Wednesday, B.C. Minister of Energy Mines and Petroleum Resources Richard Neufeld told a newspaper that he has "no opinion on what Alberta does", and that he is going to take a wait and see approach to the nuclear plant.

"The B.C. Energy Plan clearly rules out nuclear power, but the Energy Minister doesn't care enough about a nuclear power project right across the border to do anything about it," said Horgan.

Energy Alberta Corporation has submitted an initial application to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to build a dual reactor nuclear power plant near the Peace River. The cost of the project is estimated at $6.2 billion.

"In Opposition, when Washington State proposed to build the Sumas 2 gas-fired plant, the B.C. Liberals wailed at the wind against an unwanted power plant south of the Fraser Valley, but apparently the same concern doesn't apply when it comes to residents of the Peace," said Horgan.

Official Opposition leader Carole James has written to B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, calling on him to take immediate steps to protect British Columbia's interests and to re-confirm British Columbia's firm opposition to nuclear power. A response has not yet been received.

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