The Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-06-11, Page 11Wednesday, June 11, 2014 • Lucknow Sentinel 11
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NUCLEAR WASTE SOCIETE DE GESTION
MANAGEMENT DES DECHETS
ORGANIZATION NUCLEAIRES
Job Creation
I
Canada's plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel calls for the construction of a deep geological repository where
the fuel will be safely and securely contained and isolated. Constructing a repository and associated facilities is a major national
infrastructure project, costing between $16 billion and $24 billion and providing direct employment to hundreds of people over several
generations.
At present, 15 communities are engaged in learning more about the project and the process for selecting an informed and willing host
community. Over time and through increasingly detailed studies, it will become clearer which communities have strong potential to
safely host the project.
The project offers significant employment and income to a community and surrounding area, including the opportunity for the creation
of transferable skills and capacities. However, with a project of this size and nature, there is the potential to contribute to social and
economic pressures that must be carefully managed to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the community and area.
Many more years of discussion and study will be required before any decision can be made about a location. The project will only be
implemented in an area with an informed and willing host, and where robust safety requirements can be satisfied and local well-being
fostered. The project will only move forward with the involvement of the interested community, First Nations and Metis peoples, and
neighbouring communities working in partnership.
Q What would be the economic impact of the project on the region?
A.
The NWMO will work in collaboration with the interested community, First Nations and Metis peoples, and neighbouring
communities to harness the economic benefits associated with the project in a manner that will directly and positively contribute
to the well-being of the area.
The operation of the facility would create wealth in the form of business profits and personal income in the region. Social and
economic pressures that could result from a project of this size need to be carefully managed. These must be understood before
any community can make a decision about hosting the project, and will be explored in progressively more detail as studies
proceed.
Q What types of jobs would the project generate?
A.
The project would call for a wide range of skills, including mining, engineering, geosciences, safety assessment, construction
trades, project management, engagement, transportation, and communication. The types and distribution of jobs would vary
depending on the phase of the project. In addition, the project would create significant employment opportunities in the area
for a variety of support services such as transportation, catering, and equipment supply.
Q How many direct jobs would the project generate?
A.
The number of direct jobs needed at the repository site and centre of expertise will vary by project phase: 400 to 1,200 direct
jobs to support construction of the facility for about 10 years; 700 to 800 jobs for about 40 years or more of repository operation;
100 to 150 jobs for an extended monitoring period; and 200 to 300 jobs over a 30 -year period for decommissioning and closure.
In addition to these direct jobs, there will be a number of indirect jobs and induced jobs associated with the project.
These estimates will be refined as the NWMO and communities collaboratively develop and explore potential implementation
plans for the project. The NWMO will work with communities to understand the need for investments in such areas as labour
training, supporting infrastructure, business development, strategic hiring and procurement that can alter the amount of economic
benefits captured in the local area.
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Sean Russell is the Director of Environmental Assessment at the
Nuclear Waste Management Organization. He is responsible for
the planning and direction of environmental activities associated
with implementing Adaptive Phased Management. He has over
30 years experience in radiological and environmental assessment
of radioactive waste management facilities, and expertise in safety
assessment, conceptual design development and cost estimates.
"Ask the NWMO" is an advertising
feature published regularly in this and
other community newspapers to respond
to readers' questions about Canada's plan
for managing used nuclear fuel over
the long term and its implementation.
The Nuclear Waste Management
Organization welcomes your questions.
Please forward your questions to
askthenwmo@nwmo.ca.