Huron Fringe Field Naturalists welcome guest speakers from NWMO
The Huron Fringe Field Naturalists welcomed representatives from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) to their meeting Tuesday.
Formed in 2002, in accordance with the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act, the NWMO is a not-for-profit organization whose operations are fully-funded by Canada’s nuclear energy corporations. Its mission is to collaboratively develop and implement a management plan for long-term care of Canada’s used nuclear fuel bundles.
Initially, it embarked on a three-year study engaging citizens and experts nation-wide with particular emphasis on indigenous people, to develop an approach to management that was socially, environmentally, technically and economically responsible and feasible.
In his role as NWMO’s relationship manager in Southern Ontario, Paul Austin works with communities to understand and learn about the plan. He was accompanied by Dylan Luhowy, an environmental engineer and geoscientist with NWMO, who has been working in nuclear waste management for many years.
NWMO representative Paul Austin (left) is thanked by Huron Fringe Field Naturalists member Marion Fink who is holding a model of a nuclear fuel bundle; photos by Christine Roberts
Austin opened his address by clarifying the difference between the various levels of nuclear waste, as well as the importance of regulatory responsibility. NWMO’s consultation and planning process is federally-mandated and not to be confused with Ontario Power Generation (OPG)'s proposed Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) for low- and intermediate-level waste.
Using illustrations of the DGR and models of fuel bundles and storage receptacles, he described in detail the fail-safe measures of the storage facility and the five barriers encasing the bundles designed to isolate and contain used nuclear fuel in a repository.
In explaining the geological criteria for a DGR, Austin emphasized safety and ethical considerations for the future. The point of a repository is to find a geosphere that is completely separate from the biosphere or surface.
NWMO environmental engineer and geoscientist Dylan Luhowy (left) discusses models of fuel bundle protection with Huron Fringe Field Naturalists member Bob Simpson
Club members asked questions throughout the presentation which were answered forthrightly and fully by Austin and Luhowy. Many engaged with the guests afterward as well.
Austin concluded with two important points: a key component of NWMO’s mandate is that the host community must demonstrate a willingness to proceed with the project. While Huron-Kinloss is one of five potential host communities, it cannot be forced. Secondly, it’s important to have confidence in whatever solution is arrived at, but doing nothing is not an option.
In other club business, reports were given on membership, outings, fund-raising, regional meetings and details of the upcoming Bruce Peninsula Explorer trip. The next meeting will be June 26, at 7:30 p.m., at the Pine River United Church. Contact details and past issues of the club newsletter can be accessed at:
hffn.huronstewardship.ca.
Written ByNo bio for this author.
Related Stories
No related stories.