During the SUMA convention's Bear Pit, a number of community leaders and figures were able to stand up and talk to the provincial government. One of those comments came from Estevan's Mayor Tony Sernick, who thanked the province for their recent decision to look into extending the life of the Boundary Dam Power Station's units.
Jeremy Harrison, the minister responsible for SaskPower, responded to the comments by talking about the work done so far.
"Firstly, I want to say thank you to you individually, Tony, for your leadership and through you to your entire council and through the council to the entire community of Estevan, who have been great advocates. You have really made a very compelling case."
Harrison says that while the province hasn't made a final decision, they're looking at what more power could bring to Saskatchewan in the future.
"The lens through which we are looking at what our power security future in this province is really through those two lenses. It's going to be reliability and affordability. Those are the lenses that we are looking at that future through, and all of this is how we bridge to nuclear because that really is the end state to which we're seeking to get."
Harrison acknowledges the challenges around nuclear energy sources, including costs.
They'll be taking a look at a wide range of options, including biomass, hydro, and gas, to get the reliability and affordability that the province needs.
"This is why we are very much taking a very serious consideration on life extending our coal plants, which have served us very well over the last 50-plus years in this province and frankly have been maintained at a remarkably high level by our SaskPower staff."
Harrison commended the generational effort to keep the power station running, saying that they should have a determination by July 1st on next steps.
Many of Harrison's sentiments were echoed by Premier Scott Moe, who wants to see a wide approach to energy.
"As we move forward, it's really going to be about an all-of-the-above approach when it comes to electricity and access to energy and our role not only in providing access to that energy and electricity across Canada. But throughout the continent of North America."
Moe says that a secure energy source for the province will give it a good foundation heading into the future.