As debate over nuclear power in Saskatchewan heats up, the provincial government is not ruling out putting public money into a building a reactor.

A feasibility study released last week by nuclear power company Bruce Power said there is enough demand in Saskatchewan to build a generating station in the province. The report says a 1,000-megawatt plant could create 1,000 jobs for 60 years.

However, the NDP Opposition says the public needs to know the financial risks.

Specifically, people need to know as soon as possible how much public money would be at stake if the government invests, Opposition leader Lorne Calvert said.

Other projects by Bruce Power have gone millions of dollars over budget, Calvert said.

"If the province is now willing to step in to help bear Bruce Power, or some other private developer, with those cost overruns, that's a huge ticket item for the people of Saskatchewan, if history repeats," Calvert said. The government says keeping public money out of a nuclear power project is still the best option, but it's not ruling out an investment.

"We're trying to leave our options open in case that there is a build ... we'll have some flexibility in how the thing is structured," Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said.

Once Bruce Power picks a site, hearings will be held where people can have their say, Stewart said. The company is currently looking in west-central Saskatchewan.

In the end, Stewart doubts the public will support pouring its own money into nuclear power.

"Well, I would say the support will be there for the project. But the support won't be there for doing with taxpayers' money," he said.

Meanwhile, Calvert said if an independent study shows nuclear power is feasible, he would prefer to see public investment.