Pro- and anti-nuclear advocates are trying to get their message out at a Saskatoon conference on the province's nuclear future.

Some 60 companies, environmental groups, mayors, educational institutions and First Nations organizations are gathered in the city to comment on the report of the Uranium Development Partnership.

That's the government advisory body that recommended that Saskatchewan should include nuclear energy as part of its future energy mix.

Saskatchewan is a world leader in uranium production, but doesn't have any nuclear reactors, uranium refineries or nuclear waste dumps.

Some at the conference, like Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, see uranium development and nuclear power as a golden opportunity for the province.

"We know that Saskatchewan is growing, we know we need more power, for example," McLellan said. "This is an area we need to explore to say, 'Is this an opportunity for us to help grow Saskatchewan sustainably and strategically, not willy nilly?'"

However, there have been concerns expressed that the consultation process isn't giving people enough time to understand the issues and respond appropriately.

Rancher Aaron Hougham, president of the anti-nuclear group Save our Saskatchewan, said he wants the hearings to know that nuclear power company Bruce Power has looked at one site near the Alberta border that's only a kilometre away from his farm.

Over a major aquifer

"[That's] right directly above a major aquifer that ranchers and farmers are using for their drinking water," he said. "As well, that aquifer services the town of St. Walburg and some local community wells as well."

Arzu Sardarli, a physicist from the First Nations University, said he needed more information before he could come out on one side or the other of the debate.

"First, I would like to know what's the planning, what's the plan," he said. "And then I will see. Maybe we will have a concern, maybe we will support."

Opponents of expanding Saskatchewan's nuclear industry have talked about the ethical issues, possible cost overruns and fears of an accident.

Ann Coxworth of the Saskatchewan Environmental Society told hearings chairman Dan Perrins that a province can't have a nuclear reactor without thinking about waste disposal.

"Contrary to industry claims, there is not yet any demonstratable, socially acceptable way of dealing with this highly radioactive waste for the very long term periods of time that are required," she said.

Less that 14% of generation

Coalition for a Clean and Green Saskatchewan spokesman David Geary challenged industry claims that a nuclear renaissance is underway.

To back up his point, Geary quoted from figures from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"Nuclear power as of 2009 accounts for less than 14 per cent of electrical power generation worldwide," he said. "Now that's down from 16 per cent three years ago."

Glen Tait, a spokesman with the National Farmers Union said alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and biomass energy should be considered.

"Even if the risk from nuclear contamination, radiation, water leaks is very small, the alternatives are there, and they are better, so this is the way we should go," he said.

Presentations from invited groups continue in Saskatoon on Thursday. Ten public meetings are scheduled for around the province next month.