Because of the amount of problems there have been regarding nuclear energy, we need to hold a public hearing, have a thoughtful discussion regarding this. It's time serious questions were raised.

Bruce Power, of Ontario, proposed construction of a $6.2 billion power plant in Peace River of northwestern Alberta.

Bob McManus, who is an Alberta Energy spokesman, stated that the government used several methods meant to garner pubic opinion regarding the contentious matter.

Forums were conducted in several places around Alberta and we heard ordinary citizens opinions, we completed an online survey and there has been many letters and many phone calls, said McManus. We believe that it has been an extensive public inclusion process and are awaiting results of those measures.

Bishops of Alberta hope to compile a study guide by fall that will assist Catholic parishes or other interested parties educate themselves regarding nuclear power issues.

Henry said, regarding the church's endeavor in gathering input, I'm not certain that we want to take a lead in the public discussions, but certainly we'd like to be players.

He said that a role is raising the moral and the ethical issues which need consideration.

In the letter, bishops stated, A sustained consultation where stakeholders could speak face-to-face with decision makers in the government is needed. The letter said that it needed to be a public and transparent process. The letter also stressed that voices of residents in the area of the proposed sites of the nuclear plants, mainly Metis communities and Aboriginal communities, need to be heard.

Archbishop Richard Smith said that a lot of discussion up to now has been focusing on the technological, financial and scientific issues.

Smith said that these are important, but that they'd like to make the suggestion that other ethical matters be included in the discussion. Now that there is a possibility of projects coming before the province, we should weigh all the risks, all benefits and be certain people of the province are informed.

Dlena Schacherl from the NFAC (Nuclear Free Alberta Coalition) supported the bishops' position.

There are several options for power production in Alberta, the important thing is more people need to get educated regarding this matter. People have to consider the type of future their children should have and they're grandchildren, Schacher said.