Saskatchewan community no longer in running to host nuclear waste storage facility
- EFN Staff | March 03, 2015
It looks like Creighton is no longer an option to store nuclear waste.
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is finishing its preliminary assessment work in two communities that are learning about what it calls the Adaptive Phased Management (APM), which is Canada’s plan for long-term management of used nuclear fuel or nuclear waste.
In a release, NWMO says new geological studies in the vicinity of Creighton, Saskatchewan and Schreiber, Ontario, revealed that areas assessed near both communities have geological complexities that reduce the likelihood of finding a suitable site for either area to safely host a used nuclear fuel repository.
“We have collected and interpreted new data using high-resolution airborne geophysical surveys and geological field mapping, which provided a deeper understanding of the geology in these areas,” said Mahrez Ben Belfadhel, Director of Geoscientific Site Evaluations at the NWMO. “These latest studies show there is limited potential in the areas of Creighton or Schreiber to find a repository site that would meet the safety requirements of the project.”
Preliminary assessments are the third of nine steps in a multi-year process for evaluating potential suitability of communities to host such a site as well as an associated Centre of Expertise. Studies and engagement continue in or near nine Ontario communities.
“The NWMO is grateful for the opportunity to work and learn with the people of Creighton and Schreiber,” said Kathryn Shaver, VP of APM Engagement and Site Selection. “These communities should be proud of all they’ve done to help advance this important national infrastructure project.”
The NWMO says it will take several more years of detailed technical, scientific and social student and assessments, and much more engagement with interested communities, First Nation and Métis communities and their neighbours before a preferred safe site for the project can be confirmed.
Read NWMO's full release here:
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