Northern Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission have announced that the Initial Project Description for a proposed deep geological repository to store spent nuclear fuel has been posted to the agency’s website.
In a statement, the organizations say Indigenous peoples and other members of the public can review a summary of the description, which details the project’s purpose, need and expected benefits, and provide feedback by Feb. 4.
Comments will be used to prepare a summary of issues, with funding available to support participation in the impact assessment process.
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization, as owner of the project, is proposing a new repository system designed to safely contain and isolate used nuclear fuel.
Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace in northwest Ontario in 2024 agreed to be host communities for the proposed project.
The repository would provide permanent storage for approximately 5.9 million bundles of used nuclear fuel.
Subject to multiple levels of regulatory control, the repository ‘s lifespan would be approximately 160 years including site preparation, construction, operation and closure monitoring.
The repository is to consist of a network of placement rooms that will store the used fuel 650-800 metres below ground.
“For the NWMO, submitting the Initial Project Description represents more than a regulatory requirement,” Allan Webster, NWMO vice-president of regulatory approvals, said in a statement.
“It is a shared starting point that brings together engineering, environmental, Indigenous knowledge and community perspectives to guide how the project moves forward through impact assessment, licensing, design optimization, construction and operations.”
The NWMO in May announced five companies selected to help with design and planning for the project: WSP Canada Inc., Peter Kiewit Sons ULC (Kiewit), Hatch Ltd., Thyssen Mining Construction of Canada Ltd. and Kinectrics Inc.
The companies will work on facility infrastructure design and engineering, construction planning, mine design, mine construction, nuclear management advising and nuclear systems and facilities design.
Construction is forecast to begin in 2033 once all regulatory approvals are achieved, including the Indigenous-led regulatory assessment to be developed and implemented by Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.
The NWMO says it is using an integrated project delivery model to design and build the repository that will see the companies and the NWMO work as one co-located team to move the project forward.