[All] Strategic Plan, Nuclear not profitable and Tar Sands update

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Hello folks

Here's the latest

Waterloo Strategic Plan
Tonight is the last evening where Waterloo residents can participate in a workshop regarding the Strategic Plan. The meeting starts at 6:30 at Forbes room at RIM Park. 

Nuclear still not profitable
After 50 years, Nuclear power still relies heavily upon subsidies. The industry is still not economically viable according to a report released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists. (UCS). To view the press release and the link to the report visit here: 
http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/nuclear-power-subsidies-report-0504.html

Europe & Tar Sands update
The European Union is rejecting the Tar Sands oil saying it would circumvent their efforts to reduce emissions. They knew that Canada may challenge them at the World Trade Organization if they took this stance so prior to doing so the European Commission conducted their own analysis and published the data showing how dirty Tar Sands oil really is. That report is published on line here: 
http://ec.europa.eu/clima/studies/transport/fuel/index_en.htm

The issue is said to be threatening the European Free Trade deal:
http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE71K2FL20110221?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews

Currently the EU is on the verge of  approving a law that aims to cut the carbon pollution from vehicles: the Fuel Quality Directive as seen in this PDF: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:140:0088:0113:EN:PDF   
This legislation will result in suppliers of petrol, diesel and gas oil reducing emissions of greenhouse gas by 2020 but the Canadian government is lobbying heavily to change the legislative text and undermine EU's climate policy in an effort to promote Tar Sands oil. The World Wildlife Fund has a quick sign petition to address this issue to help keep Tar Sands oil out of Europe. Here's the link:
http://wwf.panda.org/how_you_can_help/campaign/ac_detail.cfm?ActionUrl=http://buffy.bluegecko.net/action/c489daab-6f4f-49fb-804c-96028eb782f1

Meanwhile, several prominent scientists are still demanding further studies for toxins in Alberta. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/Potent+toxins+need+studied/4309179/story.html

That's it for now. 

Lulu :0)
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