ENERGY: My view 2003/08/07
by John DeGroot, Energy Policy Activity Chair, IEEE Toronto Section Life Members Committee

Many are concerned about the energy supply. There are a number of concerns, earth warming, greenhouse gasses, Kyoto Protocol, electricity deregulation, oil geopolitics. Daily the news seems to get worse. Many people may sense that there is a big gap between the facts we hear from the media and the truth. I feel that we , as retired electrical engineers should be able to find the some facts which are closer to the truth and to present them to the public.

The federal government assembled a committee some time ago to come up with a working paper to guide the government in meeting the Kyoto protocol. The Canadian Nuclear Association was part of the committee. When the document was finished the CNA wrote a criticism of the paper. It is on their website. They point out that the word nuclear in not mentioned in the document and that no recognition is given to the amount of nuclear power generated in Ontario or elsewhere.

I have been active in politics at the riding level for many years and have come to know a number of politicians. I have found them to be honest, decent hardworking people. I would not have supported them if they had been otherwise. However they are socially oriented, not technically. Not surprising! The successful ones are very sensitive to public feelings. The word nuclear is frightening and they know they risk their future if they mention it, especially since they are not familiar with it.

We could make very good presentations to them and would get a nice thank you letter and the presentation would be filed away. Therefore we have to go directly to the public. Not an easy task!

When reading material from the Suzuki Foundation or any of the other green people one is left with a warm feeling that alternate energy sources will solve the problem. However when you do the arithmetic their argument falls apart. The numbers are enormous.

To get all the facts and get them to the public is the challenge.

If anyone is interested in this project please respond and I will provide a list of topics which I think should be explored.