2nd Lepreau reactor a step backwards: environmentalists

Environmentalists say the group seeking to build a second nuclear reactor at Point Lepreau is wasting its money on outdated technology.

Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.and Team Candu, a groupof private nuclear companies, is studying the market for electricity.

But Toby Couture, an energy researcher at the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, says the group shouldn't be looking at nuclear power as a way to strengthen the province's energy industry.

"With a large development, if it does go through with a nuclear reactor, it's going to put New Brunswick 20, 30 years back on sustainable energy development in the province."

Couture says he thinks the strongest future for energy lies in alternative sources such as tidal, solar and wind power.

But the Team Candu group says the new reactor, a Candu ACR-1000,would be progressive because it's the first of its kind.

It also wouldn't cost taxpayers, because Team Candu would find private investors, the group says.

Team Candu will take six months to complete the feasibility study.