km west of Saint John, New Brunswick's largest city at the time. The New Brunswick Electric Power Commission began the construction of one reactor, with an option for a second one. At its peak in 1979, the construction project employed 3,500 workers; 108 individual contracts out of 139 were granted to local businesses. Point Lepreau was licensed for operation on 21 July 1982, achieved criticality four days later and began commercial operations on 1 February 1983. The high rate of inflation over the life of the construction project, tense labour relations on the worksite and skyrocketing construction costs - all common traits of large public infrastructure projects of that period - tripled the early cost forecast in nominal terms. The estimated cost of C$466 million in 1974 increased to C$684 two years later and to C$895 in 1978. At the time of its commissioning in 1983, the total cost was estimated at C$1.4 billion, excluding interest charges. Point Lepreau was finished in 1981. It operated until 2008, when it closed for a refurbishment until 23 October 2012, when it was first re-connected to the grid. This is the only operating nuclear reactor in Canada outside Ontario. This was the only CANDU reactor built on the east coast of Canada; other CANDUs are in Argentina, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Romania and China. Expansion plans considered In 2007, Team CANDU, a consortium of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Babcock & Wilcox Canada, GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc., Hitachi Canada Ltd and SNC-Lavalin Nuclear Limited began a $2.5 million feasibility study regarding the installation of a new 1,100 MWe Advanced CANDU Reactor at Point Lepreau, to supply power to New England. In July 2010, the Government of New Brunswick, led at that time by the Liberal Party, signed an agreement with French nuclear manufacturer Areva to study the feasibility of a new light water nuclear plant on the Point Lepreau property. In September 2010 the Progressive Conservative Party gained power and the plan was shelved by the incoming premier shortly after the election. 2008-2012 refurbishment project Public debate Point Lepreau's CANDU-6 reactor was designed to last 25 years and was scheduled to be mothballed by 2008. Public debate on the future of the plant began as early as 2000. At the time, NB Power estimated the refurbishment cost at C$750 million. In 2002, NB Power, with support from the Government and opposition, pushed