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Hamilton Spectator
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Coalition urges Carney to drop nuclear from energy plan
A coalition of First Nations, physicians and environmental organizations is ramping up pressure on Prime Minister Mark Carney to drop nuclear energy from his 'energy superpower' strategy, warning it comes with high costs, long delays and long-term risks. In an open letter , dozens of organizations urge the federal government to halt funding for nuclear development and instead prioritize renewables, energy efficiency and storage. The letter warns that new nuclear projects are likely to increase electricity costs while delaying meaningful climate action. 'We are concerned that you may be unduly influenced by the nuclear and fossil industry lobbies,' reads the letter. During the federal election campaign, Carney pledged to make Canada 'the world's leading energy superpower ,' focusing on clean and conventional energy. His platform promised faster project approvals and a national clean electricity grid, among other energy promises. The coalition sent their letter in an effort to ensure Carney does not invest more significantly in nuclear energy, as he prepares to set his government's agenda and ministers' mandates. While Carney's plan doesn't mention nuclear energy, he praised it during the first leaders' debate and referenced two companies in the sector he previously worked with at Brookfield Asset Management. Nuclear energy is frequently cited as a clean, reliable alternative to fossil fuels. Agencies from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to the International Energy Agency expect nuclear power to have a role in the energy transition. Nuclear power has been part of Canada's electricity mix since the 1960s, with 22 reactors at five plants across three provinces now supplying about 15 per cent of the country's electricity . The federal government — through the Canada Infrastructure Bank — has committed $970 million in low-cost financing to Ontario's Darlington New Nuclear Project, which aims to build Canada's first grid-scale small modular reactor. The federal government also invested millions in Moltex Clean Energy , a New Brunswick-based company developing a technology called Waste to Stable Salt, which aims to recycle nuclear waste into new energy. Jean-Pierre Finet, spokesperson for le Regroupement des organismes environnementaux en énergie, one of the organizations that signed the open letter, said he worries about the long-term future of any nuclear plants built today without a plan for their waste. 'We object to our federal taxpayer dollars being spent on developing more nuclear reactors that could be abandoned in place, ultimately transforming communities into radioactively contaminated sites and nuclear waste dumps that will require more federal dollars to clean up,' Finet said. Gordon Edwards, president of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility and a longtime nuclear critic, says the federal government is backing the slowest and most expensive energy option on the table. 'In a climate emergency, you have to invest in things that are faster and cheaper,' Edwards said. 'Canada hasn't built new reactors in decades. There's no practical experience left, and what's being proposed now is largely speculative.' 'We're very concerned about a misappropriation of public money and investment in what we see as a losing strategy,' Edwards said, stressing that the coalition is not asking private companies to stop building plants — but rather asking the federal government to stop subsidizing them. Canada's electricity demand is expected to double — or even triple — by 2050 , driven by population growth, electrified transportation and industrial decarbonization. In Ontario, the Independent Electricity System Operator projects a 75 per cent increase in demand by mid-century. To meet this demand, the Ford government is heavily investing in nuclear power to meet Ontario's growing electricity demand, banking on small modular reactors and nuclear refurbishments as key pillars of its long-term energy strategy. But Edwards points to the Ford government's cancellation of over 750 renewable energy contracts in 2018 , and argues that those lost projects could have already been delivering clean, reliable power today, instead of relying on increasing nuclear energy. Much of the current controversy focuses on Ontario's Darlington New Nuclear Project, as growing skepticism around the cost of small modular reactors mirrors global concerns. In the US, two nuclear reactors in South Carolina were abandoned after $12.5 billion (CAD) had already been spent, triggering the bankruptcy of Westinghouse Nuclear — now owned by Canadian firms Brookfield and Cameco . Meanwhile, two completed Vogtle reactors in Georgia came in at $48 billion, more than double the original $19-billion estimate, making them among the most expensive infrastructure projects in US history. In the UK and Europe, new nuclear power project efforts are facing delays , budget overruns, or outright cancellations. Meanwhile, a report from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance estimates that electricity from new nuclear power will cost up to 3.6 times more than onshore wind, three times more than solar, and nearly twice as much as offshore wind. It argues that Ontario could meet its energy needs more cheaply and quickly by expanding renewable generation and grid connections with neighbouring provinces. Ontario Power Generation has pushed back against this criticism, saying the Darlington small modular reactor will reuse existing infrastructure, avoid land-use issues common to wind and solar, and help maintain grid stability with 24/7 baseload power. The company argues that renewables require large land areas and new transmission lines, and may face more complex supply chain risks. Still, some energy experts say the small modular reactor path is out of sync with climate timelines and economic realities. 'Nuclear is a very high-cost and high-risk option,' said Mark Winfield, professor at York University and co-chair of its Sustainable Energy Initiative. 'These subsidies divert resources from much less costly and lower-risk options for decarbonizing energy systems. The focus on nuclear can delay more substantive climate action.' Winfield calls small modular reactors 'a distraction and likely a dead end,' warning that the technology carries catastrophic accident, safety, security and weapons proliferation risks not found in any other form of energy production. Winfield said Canada lacks a significant comparative advantage in energy production beyond its legacy hydro assets, and remains a relatively high-cost fossil fuel producer. 'There is no reason to believe that we would be better at other energy production technologies (nuclear, renewables) than anyone else,' Winfield added in an email.
National Observer
23-05-2025
- Business
- National Observer
Coalition urges Carney to drop nuclear from energy plan
A coalition of First Nations, physicians and environmental organizations is ramping up pressure on Prime Minister Mark Carney to drop nuclear energy from his 'energy superpower' strategy, warning it comes with high costs, long delays and long-term risks. In an open letter, dozens of organizations urge the federal government to halt funding for nuclear development and instead prioritize renewables, energy efficiency and storage. The letter warns that new nuclear projects are likely to increase electricity costs while delaying meaningful climate action. 'We are concerned that you may be unduly influenced by the nuclear and fossil industry lobbies,' reads the letter. During the federal election campaign, Carney pledged to make Canada 'the world's leading energy superpower,' focusing on clean and conventional energy. His platform promised faster project approvals and a national clean electricity grid, among other energy promises. The coalition sent their letter in an effort to ensure Carney does not invest more significantly in nuclear energy, as he prepares to set his government's agenda and ministers' mandates. While Carney's plan doesn't mention nuclear energy, he praised it during the first leaders' debate and referenced two companies in the sector he previously worked with at Brookfield Asset Management. Nuclear energy is frequently cited as a clean, reliable alternative to fossil fuels. Agencies from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to the International Energy Agency expect nuclear power to have a role in the energy transition. Nuclear power has been part of Canada's electricity mix since the 1960s, with 22 reactors at five plants across three provinces now supplying about 15 per cent of the country's electricity. In an open letter, dozens of organizations urge the federal government to halt funding for nuclear development and instead prioritize renewables, energy efficiency and storage. The federal government — through the Canada Infrastructure Bank — has committed $970 million in low-cost financing to Ontario's Darlington New Nuclear Project, which aims to build Canada's first grid-scale small modular reactor. The federal government also invested millions in Moltex Clean Energy, a New Brunswick-based company developing a technology called Waste to Stable Salt, which aims to recycle nuclear waste into new energy. Jean-Pierre Finet, spokesperson for le Regroupement des organismes environnementaux en énergie, one of the organizations that signed the open letter, said he worries about the long-term future of any nuclear plants built today without a plan for their waste. 'We object to our federal taxpayer dollars being spent on developing more nuclear reactors that could be abandoned in place, ultimately transforming communities into radioactively contaminated sites and nuclear waste dumps that will require more federal dollars to clean up,' Finet said. Gordon Edwards, president of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility and a longtime nuclear critic, says the federal government is backing the slowest and most expensive energy option on the table. 'In a climate emergency, you have to invest in things that are faster and cheaper,' Edwards said. 'Canada hasn't built new reactors in decades. There's no practical experience left, and what's being proposed now is largely speculative.' 'We're very concerned about a misappropriation of public money and investment in what we see as a losing strategy,' Edwards said, stressing that the coalition is not asking private companies to stop building plants — but rather asking the federal government to stop subsidizing them. Canada's electricity demand is expected to double — or even triple — by 2050, driven by population growth, electrified transportation and industrial decarbonization. In Ontario, the Independent Electricity System Operator projects a 75 per cent increase in demand by mid-century. To meet this demand, the Ford government is heavily investing in nuclear power to meet Ontario's growing electricity demand, banking on small modular reactors and nuclear refurbishments as key pillars of its long-term energy strategy. But Edwards points to the Ford government's cancellation of over 750 renewable energy contracts in 2018, and argues that those lost projects could have already been delivering clean, reliable power today, instead of relying on increasing nuclear energy. International concerns echo at home Much of the current controversy focuses on Ontario's Darlington New Nuclear Project, as growing skepticism around the cost of small modular reactors mirrors global concerns. In the US, two nuclear reactors in South Carolina were abandoned after $12.5 billion (CAD) had already been spent, triggering the bankruptcy of Westinghouse Nuclear — now owned by Canadian firms Brookfield and Cameco. Meanwhile, two completed Vogtle reactors in Georgia came in at $48 billion, more than double the original $19-billion estimate, making them among the most expensive infrastructure projects in US history. In the UK and Europe, new nuclear power project efforts are facing delays, budget overruns, or outright cancellations. Meanwhile, a report from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance estimates that electricity from new nuclear power will cost up to 3.6 times more than onshore wind, three times more than solar, and nearly twice as much as offshore wind. It argues that Ontario could meet its energy needs more cheaply and quickly by expanding renewable generation and grid connections with neighbouring provinces. Ontario Power Generation has pushed back against this criticism, saying the Darlington small modular reactor will reuse existing infrastructure, avoid land-use issues common to wind and solar, and help maintain grid stability with 24/7 baseload power. The company argues that renewables require large land areas and new transmission lines, and may face more complex supply chain risks. Still, some energy experts say the small modular reactor path is out of sync with climate timelines and economic realities. 'Nuclear is a very high-cost and high-risk option,' said Mark Winfield, professor at York University and co-chair of its Sustainable Energy Initiative. 'These subsidies divert resources from much less costly and lower-risk options for decarbonizing energy systems. The focus on nuclear can delay more substantive climate action.' Winfield calls small modular reactors 'a distraction and likely a dead end,' warning that the technology carries catastrophic accident, safety, security and weapons proliferation risks not found in any other form of energy production. Winfield said Canada lacks a significant comparative advantage in energy production beyond its legacy hydro assets, and remains a relatively high-cost fossil fuel producer. 'There is no reason to believe that we would be better at other energy production technologies (nuclear, renewables) than anyone else,' Winfield added in an email.
Global News
13-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Theft of NS Power customer data is likely ransomware attack: security experts
Security experts say the theft of customer data from Nova Scotia's electric utility has the hallmarks of an extortion attempt by cybercriminals. In a news release following the April 25 data breach, the utility said it notified police about the theft and confirmed that 'certain customer personal information was accessed and taken by an unauthorized third party.' Nova Scotia Power, however, refuses to say whether it was being extorted by criminals. But cybersecurity experts have little doubt about what happened. The breach at the utility 'walks, talks, barks like a ransomware attack' or other similar forms of cyber extortion, David Shipley, CEO of New Brunswick-based Beauceron Security, said in a recent interview. Ransomware extortionists use malicious software to infiltrate a system to prevent companies from accessing files and then demand a ransom — often cryptocurrency — to unlock them. Shipley said there are also instances of 'double extortion,' cases in which cybercriminals steal data and threaten to sell it unless they are paid. Story continues below advertisement Natalia Stakhanova, the Canada research chair in security and privacy at the University of Saskatchewan, said in a recent interview it appears 'a ransomware attack happened.' She said, 'these kinds of organizations have been the target of attacks for a very long period of time. Certainly, Nova Scotia Power is not the first one.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Casey Spears, Nova Scotia Power's social and digital adviser, said last week the company wasn't releasing details about the breach, adding, 'we have committed to notifying customers whose data has been affected as soon as our investigation allows.' Mark Plemmons, vice-president of intelligence operation at Dragos Inc. — a global cybersecurity firm that specializes in utilities and large industrial companies — said Tuesday his firm documented 30 cases last year of ransomware attacks against electrical utilities around the world. The Dragos annual report also documented 80 ransomware groups in 2024, compared to 50 the year before. All four experts say the attack likely involved a criminal organization attempting to make a profit, not a state-sponsored group trying to harm Canadians. Had the attack against Nova Scotia Power, a subsidiary of Emera, been directed at its infrastructure — at shutting down power plants — then that would have been a sign of the participation of a state-sponsored group, Shipley said. Plemmons, for his part, said groups who try to infiltrate the operations of utilities use 'living off the land techniques,' designed to look like legitimate activity within the network. 'Once they get in, they blend in and are very difficult to differentiate from legitimate users,' he explained. Those kind of techniques don't seem to have been used in the Nova Scotia Power attack, he said. Story continues below advertisement The difficulty in the ransomware scenario is bringing the extortion to an end, Shipley said. A recent example, he said, is the breach last December of data belonging to students and staff across Canada held in the PowerSchool system. The Toronto District School Board said this week that four months after it paid a ransom to retrieve the personal information, the board discovered that a 'threat actor' made a separate ransom demand in exchange for the same stolen data. 'So, you can't exactly take it to the bank, even if you do pay them, that they're going to delete the data,' Shipley said. The cybercriminals could also sell the information on the 'dark web' — a part of the internet accessible only through special software. 'We see all kinds of crazy things with identity theft, and it can be extraordinarily painful for individuals. The average Canadian loses about $4,000 when their identity gets hijacked,' Shipley said. Stakhanova said the intrusion highlights the need for Ottawa and provincial governments to bring in regulation requiring stricter protections of personal information held by companies and public institutions. 'As customers, we are very unprotected. We have no control over what happens with the data, our personal data, and we have no say over how the company should protect it and how the company should act in unfortunate cases like this,' she said. Rebecca Brown, a communications officer with the Nova Scotia Energy Board, said in an email that the regulator would hold a 'formal proceeding' into the breach. Story continues below advertisement 'The scope of the matter is still to be determined,' she noted, adding the review could include studying the cause of the incident and Nova Scotia Power's response, as well as the impact of the breach on the utility and ratepayers.
Winnipeg Free Press
13-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Theft of NS Power customer data is likely ransomware attack: security experts
HALIFAX – Security experts say the theft of customer data from Nova Scotia's electric utility has the hallmarks of an extortion attempt by cybercriminals. In a news release following the April 25 data breach, the utility said it notified police about the theft and confirmed that 'certain customer personal information was accessed and taken by an unauthorized third party.' Nova Scotia Power, however, refuses to say whether it was being extorted by criminals. But cybersecurity experts have little doubt about what happened. Power lines are seen in Dartmouth, N.S., on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan The breach at the utility 'walks, talks, barks like a ransomware attack' or other similar forms of cyber extortion, David Shipley, CEO of New Brunswick-based Beauceron Security, said in a recent interview. Ransomware extortionists use malicious software to infiltrate a system to prevent companies from accessing files and then demand a ransom — often cryptocurrency — to unlock them. Shipley said there are also instances of 'double extortion,' cases in which cybercriminals steal data and threaten to sell it unless they are paid. Natalia Stakhanova, the Canada research chair in security and privacy at the University of Saskatchewan, said in a recent interview it appears 'a ransomware attack happened.' She said, 'these kinds of organizations have been the target of attacks for a very long period of time. Certainly, Nova Scotia Power is not the first one.' Casey Spears, Nova Scotia Power's social and digital adviser, said last week the company wasn't releasing details about the breach, adding, 'we have committed to notifying customers whose data has been affected as soon as our investigation allows.' Mark Plemmons, vice-president of intelligence operation at Dragos Inc. — a global cybersecurity firm that specializes in utilities and large industrial companies — said Tuesday his firm documented 30 cases last year of ransomware attacks against electrical utilities around the world. The Dragos annual report also documented 80 ransomware groups in 2024, compared to 50 the year before. All four experts say the attack likely involved a criminal organization attempting to make a profit, not a state-sponsored group trying to harm Canadians. Had the attack against Nova Scotia Power, a subsidiary of Emera, been directed at its infrastructure — at shutting down power plants — then that would have been a sign of the participation of a state-sponsored group, Shipley said. Plemmons, for his part, said groups who try to infiltrate the operations of utilities use 'living off the land techniques,' designed to look like legitimate activity within the network. 'Once they get in, they blend in and are very difficult to differentiate from legitimate users,' he explained. Those kind of techniques don't seem to have been used in the Nova Scotia Power attack, he said. The difficulty in the ransomware scenario is bringing the extortion to an end, Shipley said. A recent example, he said, is the breach last December of data belonging to students and staff across Canada held in the PowerSchool system. The Toronto District School Board said this week that four months after it paid a ransom to retrieve the personal information, the board discovered that a 'threat actor' made a separate ransom demand in exchange for the same stolen data. 'So, you can't exactly take it to the bank, even if you do pay them, that they're going to delete the data,' Shipley said. The cybercriminals could also sell the information on the 'dark web' — a part of the internet accessible only through special software. 'We see all kinds of crazy things with identity theft, and it can be extraordinarily painful for individuals. The average Canadian loses about $4,000 when their identity gets hijacked,' Shipley said. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up Stakhanova said the intrusion highlights the need for Ottawa and provincial governments to bring in regulation requiring stricter protections of personal information held by companies and public institutions. 'As customers, we are very unprotected. We have no control over what happens with the data, our personal data, and we have no say over how the company should protect it and how the company should act in unfortunate cases like this,' she said. Rebecca Brown, a communications officer with the Nova Scotia Energy Board, said in an email that the regulator would hold a 'formal proceeding' into the breach. 'The scope of the matter is still to be determined,' she noted, adding the review could include studying the cause of the incident and Nova Scotia Power's response, as well as the impact of the breach on the utility and ratepayers. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2025.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Theft of NS Power customer data is likely ransomware attack: security experts
HALIFAX — Security experts say the theft of customer data from Nova Scotia's electric utility has the hallmarks of an extortion attempt by cybercriminals. In a news release following the April 25 data breach, the utility said it notified police about the theft and confirmed that "certain customer personal information was accessed and taken by an unauthorized third party." Nova Scotia Power, however, refuses to say whether it was being extorted by criminals. But cybersecurity experts have little doubt about what happened. The breach at the utility "walks, talks, barks like a ransomware attack" or other similar forms of cyber extortion, David Shipley, CEO of New Brunswick-based Beauceron Security, said in a recent interview. Ransomware extortionists use malicious software to infiltrate a system to prevent companies from accessing files and then demand a ransom — often cryptocurrency — to unlock them. Shipley said there are also instances of "double extortion," cases in which cybercriminals steal data and threaten to sell it unless they are paid. Natalia Stakhanova, the Canada research chair in security and privacy at the University of Saskatchewan, said in a recent interview it appears "a ransomware attack happened." She said, "these kinds of organizations have been the target of attacks for a very long period of time. Certainly, Nova Scotia Power is not the first one." Casey Spears, Nova Scotia Power's social and digital adviser, said last week the company wasn't releasing details about the breach, adding, "we have committed to notifying customers whose data has been affected as soon as our investigation allows." Mark Plemmons, vice-president of intelligence operation at Dragos Inc. — a global cybersecurity firm that specializes in utilities and large industrial companies — said Tuesday his firm documented 30 cases last year of ransomware attacks against electrical utilities around the world. The Dragos annual report also documented 80 ransomware groups in 2024, compared to 50 the year before. All four experts say the attack likely involved a criminal organization attempting to make a profit, not a state-sponsored group trying to harm Canadians. Had the attack against Nova Scotia Power, a subsidiary of Emera, been directed at its infrastructure — at shutting down power plants — then that would have been a sign of the participation of a state-sponsored group, Shipley said. Plemmons, for his part, said groups who try to infiltrate the operations of utilities use "living off the land techniques," designed to look like legitimate activity within the network. "Once they get in, they blend in and are very difficult to differentiate from legitimate users," he explained. Those kind of techniques don't seem to have been used in the Nova Scotia Power attack, he said. The difficulty in the ransomware scenario is bringing the extortion to an end, Shipley said. A recent example, he said, is the breach last December of data belonging to students and staff across Canada held in the PowerSchool system. The Toronto District School Board said this week that four months after it paid a ransom to retrieve the personal information, the board discovered that a "threat actor" made a separate ransom demand in exchange for the same stolen data. "So, you can't exactly take it to the bank, even if you do pay them, that they're going to delete the data," Shipley said. The cybercriminals could also sell the information on the "dark web" — a part of the internet accessible only through special software. "We see all kinds of crazy things with identity theft, and it can be extraordinarily painful for individuals. The average Canadian loses about $4,000 when their identity gets hijacked," Shipley said. Stakhanova said the intrusion highlights the need for Ottawa and provincial governments to bring in regulation requiring stricter protections of personal information held by companies and public institutions. "As customers, we are very unprotected. We have no control over what happens with the data, our personal data, and we have no say over how the company should protect it and how the company should act in unfortunate cases like this," she said. Rebecca Brown, a communications officer with the Nova Scotia Energy Board, said in an email that the regulator would hold a "formal proceeding" into the breach. "The scope of the matter is still to be determined," she noted, adding the review could include studying the cause of the incident and Nova Scotia Power's response, as well as the impact of the breach on the utility and ratepayers. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2025. Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
