A New Brunswick MP is reiterating his government’s support for clean energy initiatives.

Last week, Ottawa announced $7 million for ARC Clean Technology to help develop a small modular nuclear reactor at Point Lepreau.

MP Wayne Long says the reactor will reduce New Brunswick’s carbon footprint by 80 million tonnes annually.

“Those who are skeptics, those who resist clean energy, a zero carbon producing energy, a green energy have to get their heads out of the sand and understand that nuclear energy for our province is our future,” Long said during a news conference Monday morning.

The ARC-100, which would be built on the site of the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station, is being designed to generate 100 megawatts of clean energy.

Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson hopes the funding will help develop and transmit clean, reliable and affordable power for New Brunswick that will help phase out coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 and help Canada’s goal for a net-zero electricity by 2035.

The full news release can be found by clicking here.