Major nuclear news
- Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has received government approval for a $26.8 billion refurbishment of four candu reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. This project intends to extend the facility's operations by up to 38 years, creating approximately 30,500 jobs during construction.
- Once completed in the mid-2030s, the refurbished station will provide up to 2200 megawatt of clean power, enough to power about 2.2 million homes.
- It also secures the long-term, global production of the medical isotope Cobalt 60.
Steel policy
- Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled a broad package of sharp measures to shield Canada's steel and lumber sectors from steep US tariffs. The plan centers on a "Buy Canadian" policy requiring Canadian steel, aluminum, and lumber on federal defense and construction contracts over $25 million.
- Measures also include tighter import quotas, hefty surtaxes on foreign steel, and rail subsidies to cut freight costs for shipping Canadian materials across provinces.
Clean BC checkup
- Clean BC's plan has gone under the microscope. An independent review warned that the province's current climate policies will achieve only about half of its 2030 emissions reduction targets and risk slowing down housing and industrial growth.
- The report calls for major proactive expansion of BC Hydro's electricity system and recommends changes to building rules, such as federating step code timelines and pushing most new homes toward heat pumps.
- BC Hydro estimates electricity demand will rise by about 15% by 2030 compared with 2021.
New node
- The Ontario government has secured a $3.2 billion investment from Vianode, a Norway-based synthetic graphite manufacturer, to build a new production facility in St. Thomas, marking the company's entry into the North American market.
Bonus Story
- The Mechanical Contractors Association has released a new children's book. "Suzy and the Marvelous World of Me" (M.E. standing for mechanical and electrical), is designed to spark interest in mechanical and electrical careers in young women and challenge gender stereotypes in construction.