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Darlington Nuclear - An Alternate View By Warren Lowes Since that da when Ontario Hydro announce the cut-back in plans at the Darlington site, reaction in some local circles has often ap- eared to border on panic. eputations have been shuttling back and forth from the citadels of power and words of vilification urled in many directions. Hydro it- self has been rebuked for cutting back after having overestimated by 45 per cent current consumer needs. For the ordinary citizen to venture into this debate would seem like asking to have one's wrists chopped off in the Bowmanville square at high noon. But, possibly the whole occur- rence was inevitable in the first place and the air has now cleared sufficiently for an intervention. In a recent address, Mr. Taylor, chairman of Ontario Hydro, put it 9uite succinctly when he said: Whether the lower rojected rate of growth in electricardemands will become a norm is unknowable at this point. The answer will depend, not only on the performance of the economy and the part electricity is re uired to play, but also what habits of conserving our customers are willing to acquire and maintain. But energy needs, and the roles of different energy resources - in- cluding new renewable energy forms - will remain at centre stage in ublic and political debate." the ost confused aspect of this subject on the local scene appears to centre around just what role elec- trical energy will play in the future. At present, Ontario homes and farms consume about 20 per cent of our energy intake and transporta- tion accounts for a 25 per cent slice. We all know that fossil fuel reserves are dwindling and that world sup- plies are in jeopardy because of social upheavals abroad. When it comes to the final crunch, then, the question we must ask ourselves is can electrical energy suply the needs of home heating and trans- portation operations? Not without re-fitting homes and re-designing the engines on millions of autos and general rolling back. The costs would be astronomical. So, where does the answer lie? In the long term it must be found in the development and use of com- plex renewable technologies, but the immediate need is to conserve the liquid fuels we now have in reserve. If we don't want to remain at the mercy of unstable foreign suppliers, the least we can do is start conser- ving stocks at home. This means the use of more efficient gas-saving automobiles in the smaller sizes, more rail transport as opposed to truck use, more public transport and van pooling, less air travel, a cut- back in the frivolous uses of gasoline and a freeze on net fuel exports. Then, we should be working seriously on a farm and forest program to add methanole and ethanole to present engine fuels. A 50 per cent mix is possible and the end result is better fuel mileage per gallon and a notable reduction of sulphur in exhaust fumes which con- tributes largely to the acid rain which is threatening lakes. When it comes to the matter of saving fossil fuels in home heating, the possibilities are even more in- viting. A thorough insulation rogram has not even begun; new uilding codes are needed that will insure optimum insulation, in- cluding re-design, individual metering in density housing. We need district heating concepts and even designed conserver cities. Such programs have only been nibbled at to date, but already the savings in energy are spectacular. Spectacular, yes. Indeed they have been a factor which has caused a re-appraisal of the needs for the Darlington plant. Possibly if we, as a society, would pursue this thinking with more vigour, we might find that the nuclear plant at Darlington could be dispensed with altogether. And we sho d not be surprised if the alternatives, over a period of time, would create more jobs than the building of this nuclear behemoth with a short life-term of production. Of course, this scenario, through lack of space, must of necessity bte incomplete (nothing has been said about solar installations and other devices). But, even without them, we have already relieved ourselves of three major sources of headache looming on the horizon; the problem of where we are going to dump the tons of radioactive wastes that will pile up; the worry connected with some aspects of the China Syndrome that have so many people now upset (even CANDU is operated by humans, we are reminded); and the further expansion of that $9.7 billion dollar debt that Hydro has already accumulated (it rivals the sum U.S. will pay to bring Egypt and Israel to terms). At this moment it would appear that advocacy of a "growth-in-any- direction-and-at-any-cost" policy is leading Ontario on a perilous path - one which spawns problems such as acid rain, lethal dumps and radioac- tive contamination like a new scourge of small-pox. In deference to Ontario Hydro, we must give them credit for having at least paused to look at the course they have been following. How distressing it is, however, to see so many non-conserving Conservatives urging Hydro on to greater blunders. Much has been written about the merits of a conserver society. Report No. 27 by the Science Council of Canada might be a starter. But, for the immediate edification of municipal officials and elected representatives, surely a reading of a pamphlet entitled "Energy and the Conserver Society" is not too much to ask. This booklet, believe it or not, is published by the Ministry of Housing at Queen's Park (hardly a revolutionary group). And this entire debate can be wrapped up with the consideration of one basic consideration. Measured by the Second Law of Thermodynamics, the overall ef- ficiency of Canada's energy system is now estimated at 8.3 per cent. A reduction of the 91.7 per cent waste by only 1 per cent at this time would save Canada the energy equivalent of close to half a million barrels of oil per day - more than all the oil that Canada imports. Think of it - we could be self suf- ficient and living in relative safety. Conservation does not mean a lower standard of living and a return to the tribal state - it just means taking a different direction, using different technologies and being more ef- ficient. Possibly a few crown cor- porations such as Eldorado, turned in a new direction and charged with the job of bringing new renewable resources on stream could then be revered by all of the people as "good corporate citizens." And the pity of it al1 is that, with a federal election now upon us, there is not one political party who has the foresight to present the public with a new vision of a better future. No wonder there is scepticism in the land. Dune Buggy Trails at Mosport Park ugar and Sice Does anyone in this country even care any more whether the federal election occurs in April, May or June? Dbeosanyone even care any more whether there is a federal election, in which we might exchange a right-wing reform party for a right-wing party, either winner being at the mercy, in a vote, of a right-wing left-wing party? Day after day of listening to the news, and watching the news and reading the news has created in me, at least, the greatest sense of apathy I've ever experienced in my life. And I have a hunch that millions of Canadians agree with me. Does anyone care any more what Margaret Trudeau, a rather silly woman with verbal dysentery, among other ailments, has yet to reveal? Not me. Does anyone care any more how many Christian Arabs in Beirut killed how many Muslim Arabs in Beirut? Not me. Does anyone care that Prince Charles was seen jogging on a beach in Australia, that Pierre Berton has written another book, that Canadian writers and artists and theatres and publishers all claim they need more of our tax bucks to survive? Not me. Only they. A colleague of mine describes an organization at the university he attended. It was called the Apathy Club. It put out notices like these: "The Apathy Club will not hold its usual meeting this, month." Or, "True to its convictions, the Apathy Club failed to elect a new president, when no one ran for the office, and no one showed up to vote for those who did not run." I have a feeling that Canada is turning into one vast Apathy Club. Oh, we're not yet quite completely lifeless. You can see this by reading the Letters-to-the-Editor columns, where all the cranks, quacks and bigots are given a chance to sound off. But when all the news is bad news - unemployment, falling dollar, violence, threat of wars - we are inclined to turie out, and to tune in to some sort of escapist entertainment. This apathy is reflected in all sorts of phases of our society. It's considered a big deal if there is a 60 per cent turnout for an election. Outside the larger cities, where there is constant hype from the sports writers, sports are dying out. Small towns and cities that used to pack their arenas and baseball grandstands to watch the home boys fight off those infidels from the next town, draw only handfulls of spectators these days. to instances would be spreading political ethics very thin for the chance of an uninformed or disinterested X beside his name. Whose responsibility is this? Who is to guard the sick or comatose patient from world- ly beaurocratic coercion? Elections are sometimes won or lost by very few votes. Is it fair to the thoughtful electorate, having their deci- sion upset by a few votes of half-dead or disinterested people, who should not be disturbed as they dling to their last few years of life in hopes of quiet and serenity? Thoughtfully, Mary A. Morris Bowmanville March 31, 1979 Dear Editor, As we see media reports of the nuclear accident in Pennsylvania and view the movie "China Syndrome" now showing in this area, a sense of urgency to act may overtake unprepared members of the public. The magnitude of the possible disaster at Three Mile Island leaves also a feeling of helplessness. Where does the preparing to be done. Preparation at many levels entails getting polling station set up and suitable officers of high integrity for each party to gather enumerators for the various districts. Enumerators too, should be verified as honestly interested in this country's good govern- ment and not just their own political party's interest. For instance: In canvassing, the leaders of parties should use some integrity of judgement in the decision of whether or not to disrupt the smooth running of nursing homes viz. Whitby outpatients or other CIVP organizations. Also in Sr. Citizens' nursing homes, where there are some very keen minds interested and aware of issues involved and these elderly folk do have considerable experience of years of political campaigns. There are others in these homes however, who have had no interest or contact with the outside world for a number of years and particularly of politics. Any canvasser or enumerator who would deliberately confuse or coerce a voting franchise in these Well, what's the cause of all this apathy, you might ask. I believe it is the result of modern communication systems, which are supposed-to bring the world closer together, and are, instead, making individuals harder and more self-centred, as they find themselves drowning in a flood of world-wide miseries which they feel helpless to alleviate. Does anyone really care about the killing of baby seals except those directly involved: the Newfie hunters trying to supplement a meagre living; the protestors who enjoy the publicity they get; and a number of old ladies of both sexes who compose ferocious letters to the editor condemning the hunt, while downing a few slices of spring lamb and mint jelly? Not me. My sympathies are com letely on the side of the sealers. It's ard, dirty work they do, and they don't do it because they are sadists, any more than the killers in a slaughter-house enjoy knocking sweet little calves over the head, so that you can have your veal and your calf-skin gloves. When it is proved to me that the harp seal is an endangered species. I'll join the protestors. Not before. Where were ail these silly twits when it was not baby seals that were being slaughtered, but baby the individual begin to respond to such a crisis? One might begin right here in our community: - attend council meetings re ongoing negotiations between Ontario Hydro and Town of Newcastle officials in relation to the agreement signed in March 1977; - ask local councillors if they are participating in the on- going discussion re the cooling water system proposed for Darlington, according to Section 4 of the agreement; - ask Ontario Hydro and Council what contingency plans are in place in the event of a nuclear accident at Pickering G.S. Are these plans known to the public, hospital staff, etc.? - educate yourself to under- stand nuclear power, plus the alternatives available, so that you can have some input in the various public forums now and in the future. Energy decisions will become, more and more, public decisions; - examine your lifestle to see if you are a conserving consumer; - ask your federal politicians if Canada should be exporting its nuclear technology and uranium to countries with brothers and uncles and cousins and fathers, during the Great Wars? I don't remember too many letters to the editors in those days. The same sort of people who write protesting letters today about the seals, are probably the spiritual descendents of those nasty old women (of both sexes) who went around pinning white feathers on guys in civilian clothes during W.W.I. And gave you surly service and short measure in W.W.II, always accompanied by the snarl, "Don't you know there's a war on?" This to guys in uliforms. Ah, dear, it's an age when some people seek to swell out of their little selves, to engorge themselves, on publicity. If it were not for the ubiquitous media, ever seeking to touch the lowest of emotions, there would be no problems about the seal hunt. The Newfies would run a few protestors off the edge of an ice flow, and that would be that. How did I get away over here in Newfoundland, if I'm so apathetic? Well, maybe I'm not. And that's a good sign. Apathy leads to constipation. Constipation leads to hemmorhoids. And the next thing you know, my daughter will be saying to her kids, "Don't worry, boys. We never seem to have a cent. But Grandad has piles." Editor political unrest (Argentina) and questionable safety standards (U.S.A.) - attend the 2nd Bowmanville Energy Fair on Saturday, April 21st, at Durham Christian High School: sponsored by your local con- cerned citizens' group, Save the Environment from Atomic Pollution. Yours in the interest of greater public awareness, D. Boden. R.R.6, Bowmanville, Ontario. April 2, 1979. Dear Sir:- In light of the ever- worsening nuclear situation now existing in Pennsylvania and threatening the lives and health of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children there and in Canada, does our Town Council intend to continue to press for the construction of the Darlington Generating Station? If so, I strongly suggest that citizens of this area start concerning themselves with survival techniques as there can be NO guarantee that a similar disaster will not occur, due either to human error, mechanical malfunction, or J both. And may God have mercy on us all. Yours sincerely, Valerie O'Connell. THE HEART FUND 1030 Nanton Avenue Vancouver V6H 2C2 British Columbia, Canada March 29th, 1979. Dear Editor: Any politician who thinks he can go to the electorate with a neat package of promises for the future while ignoring a ten year record of economic disaster is either naive, arro- gant or both. With 10 years of Hansard and reports on Government expenditures, we find a national debt increased, a bureaucracy almost doubled, fiscal waste running into the millions, increased crime, runaway abortion and an immigration policy that bas made Canada a haven for rebels and revolutionaries. Having made 10 giant steps towards socialism (in the guise of liberalism) this voter recalls how Nikita Khruschev once said cynically: "Promises are like pie crust - made to be broken." Yours sincerely, Patricia Young. Bowmanville, Ont. Mar. 30, 1979 Dear Editor: As election-time ap- proaches, there is a lot of Letters w