Pembroke Daily Observer (ON)
Thursday, 2006 August 31

Town council is thrilled about recent successes at the Atomic Energy of Canada's Chalk River site, and is looking forward to the municipality reaping the benefits.

Councillor Bill Ramsey said with AECL delivering an economic impact of $135 million in salaries alone, employing 2,159 people and with plans to expand, the future couldn't look brighter.

"They are hiring up there left and right," he said, and he has heard the company will be enlarging its workforce significantly between now and Christmas.

"This is great for Petawawa," as the town has the housing and the facilities to attract workers to settle there.

Deputy mayor Ed Chow said AECL has recently received funding for decommissioning work on its Chalk River site for the next five years, and secured a big contract to refurbish reactors in the United States and Europe. He said this shows how viable and important nuclear technology continues to be in the world.

"Nuclear is going to be a part of the future, and we should support it," he said.

Mayor Bob Sweet said nuclear power is also going to be a big part of the energy solution in Ontario, and he too sees it continuing to have a bright future.