2007/50 (a)

BACKGROUNDER

Adaptive Phased Management

Background

Nuclear power is a clean energy source that emits virtually no greenhouse gases. It contributes 15 percent of Canada's electricity generation and 50 percent of Ontario's. Nuclear energy is important to Canada's energy supply, to our security and to the Government's commitment to clean energy and the reduction of greenhouse gases.

In 2002, the Government of Canada passed the Nuclear Fuel Waste  Act and required waste owners to set aside funding for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel and establish a Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO). The Act requires the NWMO to do three things:

• prepare a study of options for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel;
• recommend an option based on that study; and
• implement the option selected by the Government.

Used nuclear fuel, in the form of irradiated fuel bundles removed from nuclear fission reactors, is currently safely stored where it is produced, at licensed reactor sites in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick; however, a long-term solution is required.

As required by the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act, the NWMO studied three possible options:

• deep geological disposal in the Canadian shield;
• storage at nuclear reactor sites; and
• centralized storage, either above or below ground.

The NWMO also studied and recommended a fourth option, the Adaptive Phased Management (APM) approach, which combines the technical advantages of the three methods with a management approach that engages citizens in decision making throughout the process.

Consultation 

In studying these options, the NWMO held 120 public consultation sessions and numerous full-day dialogues on values, covering a cross-section of the population in every province and territory. All in all, 18,000 citizens contributed directly to the study, while more than 50,000 people expressed interest by visiting the NWMO Web site.

In addition, First Nations and northern peoples were well represented through dialogue conducted by six national Aboriginal organizations and nine regional and local organizations.

Adaptive Phased Management

The NWMO recommended the APM approach to the Government of Canada as the most responsive solution for managing Canada's used nuclear fuel in a way that safeguards the public and the environment, and makes sure that the present generation deals with its used nuclear fuel. The Government has completed its review of the NWMO study and has selected the APM approach.

The APM approach offers centralized containment and isolation of used nuclear fuel in a deep repository with the option of an interim shallow- underground storage facility at the site. It also provides for continuous monitoring of the long-term management of the used nuclear fuel to ensure that the health and welfare of Canadians, and the environment are protected.

The APM approach has three key phases, which will be undertaken with the continued engagement of citizens, interested communities, municipalities, provinces and others. These phases are as follows:

• maintain the used nuclear fuel at the reactor sites, while preparing for centralization at a site in an informed and willing community;
• determine if an interim optional step of a shallow underground storage facility at the central site is desirable; and
• locate and prepare a site to contain the used nuclear fuel in a deep repository with ongoing monitoring and the possibility of retrieval.

The NWMO's development of the APM approach was based on the best science available, as well as the ethical and social concerns and values expressed by Canadians. The approach enables this generation to take action now to manage its used nuclear fuel. It also forges a clear path for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel.

The NWMO's APM has been selected by the Government because it is the best option to safeguard both the public and the environment. It recognizes that people benefiting from nuclear energy produced today must take steps to ensure that used nuclear fuel is dealt with responsibly and without unduly burdening future generations. At the same time, APM is sufficiently flexible to adjust to changing social and technological developments.

NWMO Future Action

The NWMO will implement the Government's decision according to the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act, using funds provided by the waste owners (i.e. the nuclear energy corporations). It is likely to take a number of years to select a suitable site within an informed and willing host community.

The site-selection process would involve future engagement activities focused in Ontario, New Brunswick, Quebec and Saskatchewan. Once a suitable site is determined, a rigorous environmental assessment and licensing process will take place prior to the construction of a central facility.

Government Role

As required by the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act, the Government of Canada will provide ongoing oversight to ensure that the public interest is protected as the NWMO implements the Government's decision.

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For more information, media may contact:

Kathleen Olson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007

And general public may contact:

Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30 EDT
Telephone: 613-995-0947
TTY: 613-996-4397
(teletype for the hearing-
impaired)
E-mail: questions@nrcan.gc.ca

NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.