BWXT not interested in rest of GE

The nuclear energy firm that leases part of the General Electric property in Peterborough isn’t planing to occupy the entire site when GE’s manufacturing ceases next year, a spokeswoman says.

“BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada has no plans to take over the GE site,” wrote Sara Forsey, manager of community relations and communications for the nuclear firm in an email to The Examiner.

This week, BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada announced that it’s been awarded a five-year contract extension to assemble fuel bundles at its Peterborough plant.

The $168-million deal with Ontario Power Generation extends a manufacturing agreement to make fuel for the Darlington and Pickering nuclear generating stations in Durham Region to the end of 2023.

BWXT, formerly known as Babcock and Wilcox, operates in the former General ElectricHitachi nuclear division plant in Peterborough located at the General Electric Peterborough complex. BWXT bought the firm in 2016 and operates it at the site on a long-term lease with GE.

Meanwhile there were no updates available on Tuesday from GE on the future of the property.

It was announced in August that GE would cease manufacturing in September 2018 after 125 years in operation. A total of 358 people are expected to lose their jobs.

Spokeswoman Jenna LaPlante wrote on Tuesday that GE is focused on winding down manufacturing and will later determine what happens to the property.

“The team is concentrated on completing manufacturing prior to considering future opportunities,” she wrote.

GE sits on 21 acres on Park St. and there are several buildings there - many of which have been upgraded in recent years with the help of government funding.

For years many toxic chemicals were used at GE and hundreds of former workers have filed claims with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) because they believe their cancer was caused by workplace toxins.

The plant was scrubbed clean in 2000, but it’s still not exactly clear whether the buildings or the soil are contaminated - or whether they can be reused.