Albertans will get a say on the province's first proposed nuclear power plant, but Premier Ed Stelmach is keeping his opinion to himself.

"We'll involve all Albertans in public discussion to see if that's a direction they want to go," Stelmach said Tuesday, sidestepping questions about his view of nuclear power.

Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach didn't share his personal views on a possible nuclear plant.
(Ryan Taplin/Canadian Press)

Calgary-based Energy Alberta Corp. filed an application with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission on Monday to build a $6.2-billion nuclear power plant on private land next to Lac Cardinal, about 30 kilometres west of Peace River.

The site, one of two considered, has received strong support from the municipality.

The second location previously under consideration by the company was in Woodlands county, north of Whitecourt. The county decided earlier this month it wanted to hold a plebiscite before taking a position but never got the chance.

NDP environment critic David Eggin said the project is moving ahead too quickly.

"I don't think Albertans want to make decisions that way — by being pressured, being boxed into a corner," Eggin said.

He said he believes discussions are going on behind closed doors to speed up the project.

If the proposed nuclear power plant goes ahead as planned, it would be in operation by 2017.