N.B. should consult widely on 2nd nuclear reactor: Liberal leader

New Brunswickshould undertake a comprehensive, independent study into the possibility of building a second nuclear reactor at Point Lepreau, Liberal Leader Shawn Graham said Tuesday.

Graham, who was in Saint John tointroduce his party's energy policy, said the Progressive Conservative government's internal review is not comprehensive enough.

"I'm concerned that the government has not given its wholehearted support to a feasibility analysis on a second nuclear reactor," he said.

"They're doing an in-house independent study. I would like to see a truly independent study taken in consultation with stakeholders outside the New Brunswick region, as well, to see what types of partnerships can be formed to minimize our risk, but at the same time achieve greater benefits for this region."

As part of his energy platform, Graham said a Liberal government would provide grants of up to $2,000 to make homes more energy efficient.

He's also promising to move the Department of Energy and its 20 employees from Fredericton to Saint John, and begin negotiations on an accord with Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island for joint planning on generating and transmitting electricity.