Canada’s Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) said Tuesday it has accepted as complete the latest data tranche from a utility regarding a planned geologic repository for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste from three nuclear power plants.
The agency requested the information on April 5, and Ontario Power Generation responded with a 144-page document on May 26. Upon reviewing the data, CEAA “is satisfied that the response adequately addresses the request issued on April 5, 2017, and is now preparing a draft report on the additional information and updating the potential environmental assessment conditions that will be required if the project proceeds.”
Ontario Power Generation intends to build the repository 680 meters below ground at its Bruce nuclear power plant site in Kincardine, less than a mile from Lake Huron. The facility would hold 200,000 cubic meters of waste now kept above-ground at OPG’s Western Waste Management Facility at the Bruce plant. It is awaiting approval from the Canadian government, which has repeatedly delayed a decision in favor of getting more information.
The CEAA’s latest request for additional information covered three general issues: the study of alternate locations for the repository, as required by the government, including air quality, transportation issues, and cost variance; analysis of cumulative environmental effects; and mitigation measures.
In the utility’s response, Lisa Morton, OPG vice president for nuclear waste management, said the Bruce site remains the preferred location. In making its case, it said the alternative locations being considered could add hundreds of millions to billions of dollars in additional project expenses above the $2.4 billion (CAN) baseline.
CEAA said this week will schedule a public comment period on its draft report at some point in the future.
