Angel Hamilton Public Comment on Bruce Power Expansion

Public Comment by Angel Hamilton Friday July 11, 2025

I am writing today to discuss my concerns about the expansion of of Bruce Power by creating potential to add up to 4,800 MW of new nuclear capacity at their existing site in the municipality of Kincardine on the eastern shore of Lake Huron, Canada.

Yes it does offer low carbon electricity that could contribute to climate change goals however I feel there is a lot of risks of expansion of nuclear reactors in the Great Lakes in close proximity to where the most fresh water in the planet  that is located ie Elmvale, Ontario and humans only have access to 1% of the fresh water that we need and once it is contaminated, there will be no more of this important non-renewable resource.

Ontario, Canada, is known for its abundant freshwater resources, particularly its lakes. Specifically, Manitoulin Island is recognized as the world's largest freshwater island which is across from Bruce Power.

The province also contains a significant portion ie (one fifth) of the world's fresh surface water through the Great Lakes and I am concerned that if there was an accident, the water would be permanently contaminated and be unusable for not only humans but also for animals as well for generations to come.

 Yes it does offer full time job security for professionally trained people and adds to the economic health of the province and the country as a whole as the electricity can be exported as an export to the USA and around the world. However, 

My first concern is the high costs. There will be costs of refurbishing and expanding plants that require significant upfront capital investments. This will lead to higher prices for consumers, especially if the plant faces cost overruns and delays.

My safety concerns is that the nuclear power plants, including Bruce, have potential safety risks associated with accidents, radioactive leaks, and the long-term storage of nuclear waste. 

In addition, my concern is about the waste disposal. There is a problem in finding a safe and permanent solution for nuclear waste disposal that remains a challenge that has not been found and this waste has a very long half-life. 

I posit that we should look at the availability of alternatives. There needs to be more investment in renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and energy storage that could provide a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution. 

The other concern I have is in regards to whether the electricity demand will be lower than anticipated. Bruce Power might have to curtail production, export electricity at low prices, or even shut down reactors, which could negatively impact ratepayers. 

I am concerned that nuclear power is perceived to be the solution to our energy security needs and our security of electricity grids and this dependence is creating a lot of unforeseen risks for future generations. 

I am worried that a nuclear melt down like  Three Mile Island as depicted by author photographer Robert Del Tredici  in his book by the same name and incidents like what happened at Chernobyl and in Japan at Fukushima could happen here in the future. 

It is important to remember the lessons of the 1950 there was the world’s first nuclear reactor accident in 1952, when an experimental reactor at Chalk River, Ontario experienced significant damage to its core caused by overheating fuel rods. The river is connected to several fresh water systems that are delicate ecosystems that have been significantly affected. 

More recently, in the Greater Toronto Area, Darlington Nuclear Generating Station saw the release of 200,000 litres of water containing trace amounts of radioactive isotopes into Lake Ontario after workers accidentally filled the wrong tank with water in 2009.

In conclusion, I am have grave concerns about Bruce Power expansion in Ontario in July 2025.