Ontario Power Generation (OPG) said it intends by the end of this year to complete three additional studies requested by Canada’s top environmental official regarding the company’s planned deep geologic repository for low- and intermediate-level waste.
The Ontario government-owned corporation expressed confidence that the findings would support its intention to build the storage site at its Bruce nuclear power facility in Kincardine, Ontario, near Lake Huron. The deep geologic repository (DGR) would be built 680 meters underground for permanent storage of 200,000 cubic meters of waste from three OPG nuclear power plants. The plan has proven controversial on both sides of the border due to fears of radioactive contamination of one of the Great Lakes.
The three studies, called for by Canadian Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna in February, are:
- An environmental impact analysis of two alternative sites that OPG described in a press release as “technically and economically feasible,” one in a sedimentary rock formation in southern Ontario and the other in a granite rock formation in central-north Ontario. Ontario Power Generation said it would not divulge more specific locations.
- A fresh environmental impact assessment of the current planned site “considering the results from preliminary assessments undertaken by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization for used fuel.” The company said it would conduct additional analysis of “cumulative effects assuming a used fuel repository is sited within the DGR study area.”
- A review of mitigation commitments for each identified adverse effect under the 2012 Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
OPG on April 15 notified the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency of its approach and schedule for responding to the request for information. The agency said Monday by email: “The Agency will consider OPG’s letter regarding the timing and approach of the responses to be submitted by the proponent. A response to the proponent’s letter will soon be sent to OPG.”
The company noted in its release that the project had been backed by a federal joint review panel, which determined the proposed site’s isolated rock formation would prevent contamination of Lake Huron.
The process for McKenna to rule on the environmental impact statement for the project, already pushed back twice, is on hold while she waits for the new information, the Environmental Assessment Agency said.
