Choosing sides

For those looking for coverage of last night's public meeting on nuclear power, Saskboy's post chronicling the evening is definitely worth a read. But even the Leader-Post's report doesn't seem to have been able to avoid recognizing the massive gap between the pro-nuclear and pro-renewable sides:

During the open microphone portion of the meeting Thursday night, Regina resident Ron Bocking asked those opposed to nuclear power to raise their hand — which prompted most of the crowd to cheer and put up their arm.

"I'm strongly opposed to nuclear energy for three main reasons," said Bocking, calling it economically unfeasible, dangerous due to the waste that has to be isolated from the environment and unnecessary. "There's many other forms of energy."

However, some others spoke in support of nuclear power. In response to Bocking's impromptu vote, Regina Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Hopkins was one of a small number of people to call out that he supports a reactor.

Of course, that "small number of people" has been largely in control of the process so far - which is likely why there was so much pent-up demand for an opportunity to offer anything other than a pro-nuke perspective. But it'll be awfully difficult to ignore the contrast between the majority opinion among those showing an interest in the issue of nuclear power and the narrow interests of a few people seeking to push it onto the province. And the further the Wall government tries to push toward nuclear development without listening to the citizens who are already showing their concern, the larger that disparity in active support figures to become.

[Edit: updated link.]