Transcript Long-Term Spent Fuel Management in Canada International Conference on Management of Spent Fuel from Nuclear Power Reactors Vienna, Austria May 31, 2010

Long-Term Spent Fuel
Management in Canada
International Conference on
Management of Spent Fuel from
Nuclear Power Reactors
Vienna, Austria
May 31, 2010
Spent Fuel Arising in Canada
» 42,000 tonnes of spent fuel in interim storage from:
♦ 22 power reactors in Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec
♦ Research reactors Manitoba and Ontario
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Interim Spent Fuel Storage
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History of Long-Term Spent Fuel
Management
» 1980: Governments of Canada and Ontario initiates Canadian Nuclear Fuel
Waste Program.
» 1998: Federal Environmental Assessment Panel concluded:
♦ Geologic disposal technically safe
♦ Public support not demonstrated
» 2002 Nuclear Fuel Waste Act requires NWMO be formed.
» 2007: Government of Canada approves Adaptive Phased Management with
end point of isolation in a deep geologic repository.
» 2010: NWMO initiate site selection process.
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2002 Nuclear Fuel Waste Act
» Nuclear Energy Corporations to:
♦ Form and fund NWMO
♦ Contribute to trust funds
» NWMO
♦ Conduct study of alternatives and make recommendation
♦ Implement government decision
♦ Define contributions to trust funds
♦ Report annually to parliament
» Government of Canada
♦ Approves NWMO recommendation
♦ Approves trust fund contributions
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NWMO Study of Alternatives (2002-2005)
» NWMO led three-year study - engaged nationwide:
 18,000 Canadians including 2500 Aboriginal
people
 120 information & discussion sessions
 500 experts
» Canadians told us:
 Safety and security is top priority
 Take action now
 International standards
 Approach must be adaptable
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Adaptive Phased Management
APM emerged from dialogue with citizens and experts – best met key priorities
A Technical Method
A Management System
Flexibility in pace and
manner of implementation
Centralized containment and
isolation in deep geological
repository
Continuous monitoring
Potential for retrievability
Optional step of shallow
underground storage
Phased and adaptive
decision-making
Responsive to advances in
technology, research,
Aboriginal Traditional
Knowledge, societal values
Open, inclusive, fair siting
process - seek informed,
willing host community
Public engagement and site
selection focused in 4
nuclear provinces
APM proposed by NWMO; approved by Federal government June 2007
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NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION | Page 6
Deep Geologic Repository: National
Infrastructure Project
» High technology, national infrastructure project
 Investment of $16-24 billion
 Operate as centre of expertise
 Provide thousands of jobs
 Sustainable over more than 100 years
» Highly regulated – strict criteria ensures safety
» Partnership between NWMO and community
» Fosters community well-being
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NWMO’s Implementation Plan
» Build relationships and engage Canadians in decision making
» Collaboratively design and implement process for site selection
» Further develop repository designs and safety case
» Research alternative methods and societal values
» Ensure sufficient funds
» Continually improve governance structure and organizational capacity
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Building Relationships and Involving
Canadians in Decision Making
» Aboriginal People
♦ Forum of Elders and Working Group
♦ Aboriginal Organizations
» Municipal
♦ Forum of Municipal Associations from four provinces
♦ Canadian Association of Nuclear Host Municipalities
» Public
♦ Citizen Panels
♦ Open houses, web-based dialogues, surveys
» Interest Groups:
♦ Multi-Party Dialogues
» Federal and Provincial Governments
♦ Cross-functional forums with Governments
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Repository Design and Safety Case
Refinement and Development
» Refine designs for repositories in crystalline and sedimentary rock
and complete pre-licensing review
» Exchange agreements with Finland, Sweden, Switzerland and France
» Joint international projects
» Projects in eleven Canadian
universities
» Independent Technical
Review Group
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Collaborative Design of Process for
Site Selection
» Project Description
» Nine step process
» Evaluation criteria
» Community chooses to participate and
has right of withdrawal
» Inclusion of surrounding community and
Aboriginal people
» Partnership approach
» Role of independent third-party and
regulatory review
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Recurring Themes from Dialogues
» Safety, security, environment
» Visible presence of federal government
» Early and active role for regulator
» Supportive role of provincial governments
» Community benefits
» Recognition of Aboriginal and treaty rights
and duty to consult and accommodate
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Next Steps and Possible Timelines
» May 2010: Initiation of site selection process
» 2010-2011: Build awareness and respond to interest
» 2012-2018: Feasibility studies
♦ Regional studies
♦ Detailed site evaluation
♦ Community expresses willingness to host
» 2018: Initiate regulatory review process
» 2035: Deep Geological Repository in-service
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