Canada warms up to nuclear energy

OTTAWA, June 15 (UPI) -- Ontario plans to spend $18 billion to build nuclear reactors and refurbish some current units.

The province also has decided to spend another $18 billion for renewable energy projects and $5.3 billion for power conservation, The New York Times reported Thursday.

Upon completion of the 20-year venture, Ontario would maintain the current level of nuclear-generated power, which provides about half of the province's electricity. The other half is provided mainly by hydroelectric dams and coal.

"We have had a very bad financial history with nuclear power," the province's Energy Minister Dwight Duncan said. "The challenge now is that we must manage these projects properly and share the risk with potential suppliers."