Empowering the community – Regional Council approves Durham’s Nuclear Sector Strategy

Whitby, Ontario – At a meeting of Regional Council on December 22, members approved Durham’s Nuclear Sector Strategy. Empowering the Community: Durham Region’s Nuclear Sector Strategy 2022-2032 will equip Durham Region to seize opportunities and take actions to support a prosperous and sustainable community.

The newly approved strategy will play a vital role in helping the Region advance four of its strategic priorities including Environmental Sustainability, Community Vitality, Economic Prosperity and Service Excellence.

Durham’s Nuclear Sector Strategy will help the Region prepare for the changes ahead in the nuclear sector as major projects get underway and federal policy changes are implemented. By enabling the Region to navigate and capitalize on its unique position as the Clean Energy Capital of Canada, this strategy will play an important role in the Region meeting its goal of achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.

More information on Durham’s Nuclear Sector Strategy will be available in the coming weeks. Stay up to date by visiting and subscribing to durham.ca/Nuclear.

Quotes

“Durham Region is a global centre of nuclear expertise, with a strong cluster of nuclear energy-supporting organizations and institutions. This strategy positions us very well to ensure we are prepared and proactive for all the changes and opportunities in the sector. We are excited to play a leadership role in the nuclear sector in Canada.”

     – John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO, Regional Municipality of Durham

“Building Canada’s first on-grid small modular reactor at Darlington means tremendous economic opportunities in Clarington, in Durham and across Ontario and Canada. Clarington and Durham have long led the way in clean, safe nuclear power production, and Durham’s Nuclear Sector Strategy will ensure we continue to be a leader in this area while benefiting locally from the jobs and economic growth that accompany this innovative project.”

     – Adrian Foster, Mayor, Municipality of Clarington

“For many years, Pickering Nuclear Generating Station has served Ontarians, providing clean, reliable power to the province. As it approaches the end of commercial operations, Pickering and the entire Region have an opportunity to become a global leader in nuclear research and innovation. The Region’s Nuclear Sector Strategy will help us identify new opportunities in this exciting and essential area.”

     – David Ryan, Mayor, City of Pickering

“In our Climate Change Plan, OPG pledged to reach Net Zero as a company by 2040 and to act as a catalyst for decarbonization of the broader economy by 2050, and clean nuclear power is one of the tools that will help us achieve that goal. The $12.8 billion Darlington Refurbishment Project and our recent announcement to construct a small modular reactor at Darlington will reinforce Durham’s place as the Clean Energy Capital of Canada while attracting lasting, high-quality jobs to the Region. We are pleased Durham Region has made the nuclear sector a key priority through this strategy.”

     – Steve Gregoris, Vice President, Darlington Nuclear, Ontario Power Generation

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Read this press release on the Region of Durham's website.