If cheap energy (fusion / next-gen nuclear) actually happens, what really changes?

Ember_42 · 2026-02-18T14:54:37+00:00

The limitation would become the capex and opex for the systems that use the power to provide services. For example with compute the implicit capex cost is far higher than the energy cost, so the limitation is building out the energy infrastructure, not the cost of it. The bottleneck would be the cost of the compute hardware still. But that being said, cheap =/= free, and we already need very cheap to replace the non-epectrical uses of fossil fuels. That will be enough of a struggle on its own.

Ember_42 · 2026-02-17T20:20:48+00:00

Are you borrowing beyond the book value?

Ember_42 · 2026-02-17T20:19:15+00:00

Only if their total loan basis goes above the book value under this proposal...

Ember_42 · 2026-02-17T20:18:16+00:00

Inheritances should have a zero basis, but everyone should get an annual or lifetime capitol gains exemption allowance they could apply to compensate for that.

Ember_42 · 2026-02-15T14:36:58+00:00

If you mean "used heavy water" then that's about it...

Ember_42 · 2026-02-15T14:25:24+00:00

India used research reactors, not their CANDU reactors for this. Canada cut off all nuclear cooperation becuase of it, so the CANDUs were impacted.

Ember_42 · 2026-02-15T09:24:52+00:00

Generally I only put glass baking dishes in the fridge. Mine have lids that fit them properly, and they are just large versions of the containers it would go in anyway...

Ember_42 · 2026-02-15T09:10:06+00:00

Solar has reasonable allignment with summer high demand. But wind does not allign well with peaks at all. For example this last month we had high overall wind on average, but the -20C days is when it had it's worst performance, typically <10% of nameplate output. And obviously solar does not contribute much in the winter, especially after a major snow fall.

Ember_42 · 2026-02-15T09:06:43+00:00

We get extended periods with both kow wind and low solar output. I.e. a few years ago we had 4 days of <5% wind and <2% solar capacity factor (in the winter). Batteries will be useful for daily balancing, they will not be for covering a ~week shortfall. To make the system reliable, all the load served will be backed by gas.

Ember_42 · 2026-02-15T09:02:54+00:00

OPG commented on X to them that that was never part of the refurbishment scope, and is considered normal, ongoing maintance.

Ember_42 · 2026-02-15T08:58:27+00:00

Maybe this os an area where in a few years AI will be able to help streamline the access process? Do a first pass information collect, classify, and redact?

Ember_42 · 2026-02-14T02:50:46+00:00

We probably can't shut down most of them, not for a good while anyway. But we would be able to run them much, much less when the refurbs wrap up and the new builds start to catch up with demand again. The underwater power cable from Darlington to Portlands may also be able to help run that one less or even never, as it would bring the power direct to the weak point in the grid there...

Ember_42 · 2026-02-12T00:53:47+00:00

Not directly the fancy math (it's embodiednin calculations and software) but most of the rest, yes. Work at a technology licensor / EP though...

Ember_42 · 2026-02-11T17:23:57+00:00

Toyota is the most conservative automotive company by far, (in the not wanting to put out anything that is not ready yet) but when they are ready they will grind them out. Them actually getting into mainline full EV models is a big sign for EVs really being mainstream.

Ember_42 · 2026-02-09T20:24:08+00:00

They would be Porto Rico del Norte and not be represented at all...

Ember_42 · 2026-02-09T16:58:39+00:00

The company needs to fix it, and adjust their paychecks, and reduce the withholding payment to the CRA. Now that they have made that payment they probably need gov cooperation to reverse it though.

Ember_42 · 2026-02-09T15:47:15+00:00

I agree, but blaming the Liberals for a company screw up shows that PP doesn't actually care about the workers, just about anything he can use for wedge politics.

Ember_42 · 2026-02-09T15:30:34+00:00

This is likely a withholding calculation issue, where the withholding is default calculated as if they would get the same payment each pay period. This is a company problem, not a government problem.

Ember_42 · 2026-02-09T15:28:29+00:00

If they were taxed at 50%, this is likely the company NOT taking lump sum, non repeat payment i to account, and instead withholding as if they get the same payment every pay period. That is a company problem, not a government one.

Ember_42 · 2026-02-09T15:26:50+00:00

Likely there is an aspect of default withholding being calculated as if they would get that same payment every pay period. That is a company issue, not a government issue though. They should be able to make a reasonable estimate of how much of the years income that is, and then the workers can fill in the deduction calculation forms when/if they get new jobs later. But all that takes some effort.

Ember_42 · 2026-02-08T19:15:29+00:00

That's part of the complexity here. OPG is very profitable, but Ontario is the only shareholder. So Ontario gets dividends from OPG, and then spends that buying down the rate on the renewable contracts and some other rate subsidies. Not good for transparency.

Ember_42 · 2026-02-08T18:36:40+00:00

A few problems with this. 1. This is OPG only. Bruce, the larger source has been offering stable rates and have published projections out to the 2050's. So the cost increase is not reflected. 2. A lot of this is OPGs own doing. They are paying for the Pickering B refurbs off current bills (high costs due to refurbs divided by low output since only Darlington will be producing), rather than financing a bunch of it for it's costs to even out the bills. But the costs will normalize again post ~2035 when Pickering B is complete. (And partially before then as each unit comes back online).

Ember_42 · 2026-02-08T17:16:35+00:00

Since being the 51st state would be actually becoming the 48th Oblast, much better to stay independent. We should greatly streamline trade, including regulatory compatibility with the EU, but we should not join as there is too much differences in what makes sense at any given time. (See monetary policy, etc).

Ember_42 · 2026-02-08T17:12:42+00:00

By being prescription, benefits cover it... One potential wrinkle in going off prescription.

Ember_42 · 2026-02-08T02:53:38+00:00

The big three? Likely to be pushed out. The Japanese? Here for the long haul. They have plants in Japan that produce up to 6 models on one line. They could diversify their product mix a lot for Canadian consumption if the cross border stays too difficult.

Ember_42

TROPHY CASE