Loading...
The Lucknow Sentinel, 2016-06-15, Page 1616 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, June 15, 2016 The NWMO and Huron -Kinloss Learning Together JUNE 2016 The NWMO Outlines Planned Technical Facilities Derek Wilson, the NWMO's Vice President of Design and Construction, reviewed the updated Adaptive Phased Management (APM) project description with the Huron -Kinloss Nuclear Waste Community Advisory Committee in April. His presentation highlighted the possible range of facilities that will be associated with the project. "There is a lot more to this project than the deep geological repository," Mr. Wilson said. "Some of the associated activities, such as the Centre of Expertise, are planned to come online years before any construction of the repository." Mr. Wilson said once a preferred site is identified, the Centre of Expertise would be constructed to provide an opportunity to further develop and demonstrate the equipment and processes that would be used during operation, and to provide support for detailed site characterization activities. The centre would also support environmental and social research, and ongoing engagement efforts. He also described the new container design for used nuclear fuel. Important features of the design are corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, ease of fabrication, capacity, and compatibility with surrounding sealing materials. "A benefit of the new design is its ability to be manufactured in the host community or surrounding region, depending on interest," he said. "The required materials and technology for the containers are readily available in Canada." The updated project description can be found at www.nwmo.ca, under "More Information — Multimedia". Derek Wilson of the NWMO provides a technical update at the April Huron -Kinloss Nuclear Waste Community Advisory Committee meeting. A team of NWMO specialists welcomed a Grade 4/5 class of students from the Ripley -Huron Community Public School to an open house held in Ripley on April 14 and 15. The students were studying different energy sources, so the open house about Canada's plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel fit in nicely with their curriculum. Other topics of interest among a broad range of participants included discussions about plans for preliminary field studies, the updated project description and economic modelling. Economic Impacts of the APM Project Shared with Huron -Kinloss Canada's plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel, at an estimated cost of $21 billion (2010 $), has the potential to be an economic engine for many decades. The Township of Huron -Kinloss got a much better idea of the potential impacts of the project at the February Nuclear Waste Community Advisory Committee (NWCAC) meeting. Economists Marvin Stemeroff and Andy Keir from AECOM (contracted by the NWMO) noted Canada's plan is a major national infrastructure project with dedicated funds. APM will generate benefits, including jobs, for Ontario and the region and area where it is located for more than 100 years. Expanding on this point, Mr. Keir provided initial estimates of the numbers and types of jobs the project would bring to Huron -Kinloss, the region and the province. He emphasized these findings are meant as a starting point for discussing how to maximize the project's economic benefits. Communities will be involved in planning how to best leverage the project to enhance the area's well-being. For example, communities/areas will need to examine what kind of planning and preparation are required for training, fostering local business development, and infrastructure reflective of their long-term visions. Information about preliminary economic modelling is available at www.nwmo.ca/ Huron -Kinloss, under "What We're Doing". Economics is just one consideration in fostering community well-being. Other aspects include people, infrastructure, environment, and community and culture. nwmo NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION SOCIETE DE GESTION DES DECHETS NUCLEAIRES )) Of Note... The NWMO publishes an annual report, which is submitted to the federal Minister of Natural Resources Canada. Progress Through Collaboration — Annual Report 2015 has been submitted to the Honourable James Gordon Carr. He tabled the report in both Houses of Parliament on May 6. The NWMO Annual Report is made public simultaneously with its submission to the Minister. It is available online at www.nwmo.ca, under "Reports". For a hard copy, please call 519.386.6711. The NWMO also published an annual update to its five-year strategic plan. The plan is regularly assessed, strengthened and redirected based on new information and comments. Following a public review period, Implementing Adaptive Phased Management 2016 — 2020 was revised to reflect comments from the public. It is available online at www.nwmo.ca, under "Reports". For a hard copy, please call 519.386.6711. The Huron -Kinloss Learn More Centre is located at 46 Queen Street (across from Lewis Park) in the Village of Ripley. Visitors are encouraged to visit the centre, email info@huronkinloss.com or phone 519.386.7611 for more information. The NWMO and Huron -Kinloss Learning Together is a community -oriented mini -newsletter designed to encourage learning and discussion about Canada's plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel and the site selection process. We welcome your questions. Please forward your questions to askthenwmo@nwmo.ca or call us at 1.866.249.6966. For more information about the NWMO and Canada's plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel, please visit: www.nwmo.ca 1l