The provincial government's public engagement sessions on nuclear energy will make their way to Edmonton on Feb. 17.
The Nuclear Energy Engagement and Advisory Panel is chaired by Chantelle de Jonge, MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore, and includes Deron Bilous, the former NDP MLA for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview; Tim Boston, who worked in the energy industry for 25 years with companies such as EPCOR, Capital Power, and ENMAX; Stephen Buffalo, CEO of the Indian Resource Council of Canada; Rudiger Tscherning, a nuclear researcher at the University of Calgary; and Harrie Vredenburg, a public policy researcher at the U of C. The session's location has yet to be announced.
The provincial government has said nuclear power facilities can provide reliable electricity without producing any direct greenhouse gases. However, opponents are concerned about nuclear waste. The province conducted webinars on the issues to consider on Dec. 8, Dec. 10, and Jan. 16.
Energy Alberta, a nuclear company based in Calgary, has proposed a nuclear power facility in the County of Northern Lights near Peace River. Voters were divided when asked non-binding questions about the proposed project during last October's municipal election. The federal government develops policy for overseeing radioactive waste.
Bilous told attendees at a January session in Bonnyville that Alberta's demand for electricity is expected to double or triple by 2050, and that forecast doesn't fully account for the increased pressures expected from data centres. Global electricity demand is expected to keep rising to support electric vehicles and data centres, and big tech companies such as Microsoft and Google are securing nuclear energy deals to meet the growing power demands related to generative artificial intelligence.
This is the second phase of engagement after a online survey and Indigenous consultation was conducted last year. The feedback is intended to help inform a comprehensive roadmap and regulatory framework to support a nuclear energy industry in Alberta. The panel is expected to deliver a final report to the Minister of Affordability and Utilities by March 31.
Affordability and Utilities Minister Nathan Neudorf speaks at a press conference about Alberta's potential nuclear energy industry, while Premier Danielle Smith looks on. (Government of Alberta/Flickr)
Here are some other opportunities to provide input in the Edmonton metro region:
- Until Feb. 6: The City of Edmonton wants to hear from those involved in food and organics, as well as construction and demolition, on its Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Waste Roadmap.
- Until Feb. 7: Transport Canada is gathering input on a pedestrian bridge and bank armouring on the Sturgeon River.
- Until Feb. 8: The City of Edmonton is gathering residents' thoughts on the draft design for Wîhkwêntôwin ᐄᐧᐦᑫᐧᐣᑑᐃᐧᐣ Neighbourhood Renewal.
- Feb. 17, 19, and 24: Leduc RCMP invite residents to attend a series of public town halls to discuss 2026 policing priorities, review recent policing survey results, ask questions, and share feedback.
- Until Feb. 20: Strathcona County is collecting responses to its public satisfaction survey for a report to go to county council in June.
- Until March 27: Leduc County has launched its citizen satisfaction survey.
- Ongoing: Fort Saskatchewan is collecting feedback on policing priorities.
"Your turn" is Taproot's weekly collection of public engagement opportunities in the Edmonton region. Watch this space every Friday for opportunities to make your views known.