OPG flips the script on nuclear energy with new public education campaign
At a glance
- New “Recast Nuclear” campaign uses the power of movies to tackle the many misperceptions of nuclear power.
- First-of-a-kind public education campaign aims to grow understanding and acceptance of nuclear power, which is essential to meeting future clean energy needs.
- Clean, reliable, and safe nuclear power currently meets more than half of Ontario’s energy needs with no direct greenhouse gas emissions.
For far too long, nuclear power has been stigmatized in the public eye thanks to its skewed and misinformed portrayal in movies, TV shows, and pop culture.
Now, it’s time to flip the script.
Through a first-of-a-kind public education campaign, OPG is recasting nuclear energy as the safe, reliable, and clean hero we need to electrify life, fight climate change, and secure our clean energy future.
The new Recast Nuclear campaign, created in partnership with ad agency Forsman & Bodenfors, presents the unique benefits of nuclear power through a series of themed film posters and trailers, as well as digital and radio ads.
You can check out the campaign and learn more about nuclear’s many benefits at opg.com/recastnuclear.
If you’re a fan of the movies, the campaign will look and sound familiar as it reflects many recent and popular blockbusters.
But the message is all about nuclear, and undoing decades of misinformation.
“For years, popular culture has distorted perceptions about nuclear power with false narratives that served to stoke fear,” said Kathy Nosich, OPG’s Vice-President of Stakeholder Relations. “This education campaign aims to recast nuclear power as a true hero of our clean energy mix. We hope this will grow understanding and acceptance of this beneficial technology that is so important to our economic and environmental wellbeing.”
In recent years, opinions on nuclear power have started to shift with the rising challenges of climate change and energy security.
But OPG believes more needs to be done to educate and raise awareness of nuclear power’s essential role for the future.
It's time to recast nuclear
Unfairly vilified by the movies and pop culture, it’s time to recast nuclear as the star of our clean energy mix.
Some important facts to consider when it comes to nuclear include:
- Nuclear energy powers more than half of Ontario’s power needs with no direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- In Canada, nuclear avoids 80 million tonnes of GHG emissions per year, equal to removing 15 million cars from the road.
- Nuclear is a reliable, steady power source that runs 24/7/365 regardless of weather or daylight.
- To generate the same amount of energy as nuclear, solar requires about 100 times more land area and wind about 500.
- Only the nuclear industry accounts for all of its by-products, which are small in volume, safely stored, closely tracked, rigorously regulated, and well managed.
- Nuclear also produces beneficial by-products, such as life-saving medical isotopes.
- Nuclear is safe: no member of the public has ever been harmed as a result of OPG’s nuclear power plants or waste storage facilities.
In the coming years, nuclear will continue to play an important role in Ontario’s energy mix.
OPG is now advancing a fleet of Small Modular Reactors at its Darlington Nuclear site, which will provide more clean, reliable electricity to power about 1.2 million homes.
OPG also continues to advance the Darlington Refurbishment project, which is tracking on budget and ahead of schedule. The project will ensure 30-plus more years of clean power for Ontario when it wraps up in 2026.
And the company is also preparing for the potential refurbishment of its Pickering Nuclear station.
Make sure to keep an eye and ear out to catch the Recast Nuclear campaign. You can also visit the microsite to see all the trailers and posters and learn more interesting facts about nuclear.
Coming soon
From medical superhero to the enabler of the electric vehicle revolution, explore these other exciting nuclear titles.
Related stories
Subscribe and stay informed
Sign up to receive the latest news, project updates, and event information from OPG.