Canada Comments on Nuclear Waste Storage Site Delay

Canada’s government offered comments late last week on the latest delay in its decision to move forward with Ontario Power Generation’s proposal to build a deep geologic repository for low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste near Lake Huron.

On Thursday, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna requested that OPG provide additional details on the project, including alternative locations and additional environmental information for the current site in Kincardine, Ontario. Canadian and American officials and residents have railed against the project, saying it’s too much of a risk to the Great Lakes and the 40 million people its resources serve. McKenna’s announcement marked the third timeline extension on the project, with the original deadline passing in September.

In a statement Friday, McKenna’s office said the minister wants to ensure the environmental assessment process “benefits from the best available scientific evidence and facts.”

“The studies and information requested will provide further analysis to inform her decision,” the statement said. “The minister has authority, under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, to request these studies and additional information.”