The Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-01-22, Page 1616 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, January 22, 2014
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NUCLEAR WASTE SOCIETE DE GESTION
MANAGEMENT DES DECHETS
ORGANIZATION NUCLEAIRES
What Is Canada's Plan?
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Q What is Canada's plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel?
A Canada's plan involves the construction of a national repository for the long-term management of Canada's used nuclear fuel, which is a solid waste product from the
generation of electricity in nuclear power plants. It also involves the development of a used fuel transportation system and construction of a centre of expertise that will
be a hub for national and international collaboration. Canada's plan is called Adaptive Phased Management.
The plan requires that used nuclear fuel be contained and isolated in a deep geological repository in a suitable rock formation. Used fuel will be safely and securely
contained and isolated from people and the environment in the repository using a multiple -barrier system. This approach is the culmination of more than 30 years of
research, development and demonstration of technologies and techniques in Canada, the United States, Switzerland, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom and
elsewhere.
A fundamental tenet of Canada's plan is the incorporation of learning and knowledge at each step, to guide a process of phased decision-making. The plan builds
in flexibility to adjust the plan if needed. The plan will be implemented over several decades. Over this period of time, we may experience changes in the values and
preferences of Canadian society, and advancements in knowledge and technologies. Adaptive Phased Management is designed to be flexible to ensure new learning
and social priorities are incorporated in Canada's plan and to allow this plan to adapt to other changes we may encounter along the way.
The site selection process that is currently underway is designed to ensure that any community that is selected to host this high-technology, national infrastructure
facility is both informed about the project and willing to host it. The project will only proceed with involvement of the interested community, First Nations and Metis
peoples, and surrounding communities working in partnership.
Q How was this plan developed?
A The design of Adaptive Phased Management emerged through a three-year study and dialogue with Canadians about a range of management options (2002-2005).
The study engaged thousands of citizens, specialists and Aboriginal peoples in every province and territory. The plan was selected as Canada's plan by the
Government of Canada in 2007. Many thousands more have since engaged to shape the siting process and implementation of the plan.
Q Why is this plan needed?
A For decades Canadians have been using electricity generated by nuclear power reactors in Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec. When used nuclear fuel is removed
from a reactor, it remains a potential health risk for many hundreds of thousands of years and must be safely isolated from people and the environment, essentially
indefinitely.
Today Canada's used nuclear fuel is safely stored on an interim basis at licensed facilities located where it is produced. Like many other countries with nuclear power
programs, Canada is planning for the future. The NWMO has heard from Canadians that this generation has an ethical responsibility to advance the plan, believing it
to be imprudent and unfair to leave to future generations. Ensuring the long-term, safe and secure management of used nuclear fuel is an important responsibility we,
as Canadians, share.
Kathryn Shaver is Vice -President of APM Engagement and Site Selection at the NWMO. She played an integral role in the collaborative development
with Canadians of Canada's plan for managing used nuclear fuel over the long term.
"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.
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www.nwmo.ca