Nuclear News
Deep Geological Repository,
Ontario Power Generation
aka “Proposed Nuclear Waste Dump – Lake Huron”
*** UPDATE: Project cancelled *** (article)
Early in 2020, after more than a decade of OPG research, public consultation, and federal regulatory hearings, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation members voted No to a Deep Geologic Repository (DGR), for low-and intermediate level nuclear waste, as proposed by OPG for the Bruce nuclear site in Kincardine.
OPG upheld its 2013 commitment not to proceed without SON support and discontinued the project.
OPG is moving forward to develop an alternate permanent solution for the storage of low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste. Any new site selection process would include engagement with indigenous peoples as well as interested municipalities.
During this process, OPG will remain focused on waste minimization, including volume reductions, innovations in processing, and recycling where possible.
(link)
*****
Excerpt from “Stop the Great Lakes Nuclear Dump” Facebook entry dated 14-Feb-2013:
Ontario Power Generation (OPG), a corporation wholly owned by the Province of Ontario, is asking the federal government to approve its proposal to bury low and intermediate level radioactive nuclear waste under the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant site, directly on the shore of Lake Huron, in the Municipality of Kincardine, Ontario.
Called a Deep Geological Repository, DGR or Nuclear Waste Dump, the 31 burial caverns are planned to be 680 metres below the ground carved out of limestone and will extend to approximately 400 metres from Lake Huron.
Low level radioactive nuclear waste includes contaminated mops, rags and industrial items. Intermediate level radioactive nuclear waste contains resins, filters, and irradiated components from within the nuclear reactors themselves. Intermediate level nuclear wastes are highly radioactive, and many remain radioactive for over 100,000 years.
The Nuclear Waste Dump will be very large – approximately 37 acres on the surface and twice that size underground and will accommodate very large amounts of radioactive wastes that have been generated during the operating life and refurbishment of Ontario's 20 nuclear reactors.
OPG's most recent estimate is that 200,000 cubic metres (7.1 million cubic feet) of nuclear waste in 53,000 containers will be buried in the Dump over 35-40 years. The Dump will eventually be sealed with a sand/clay mixture and concrete, and the plan is that within a decade of closure it will no longer be monitored for radioactive leaks. Ten years of pre-closure monitoring will be followed by potentially 300 years of institutional control, and then abandonment. OPG calls the period following institutional control the "Long Term."
OPG suggests that the Nuclear Waste Dump will safely hold its radioactive contents for 100,000 years. Is it reasonable to conclude that an unmonitored Nuclear Waste Dump will contain its radioactive contents for 100,000 years? The Great Lakes were created only 12,000 years ago.
Note-worthy:
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) proposes to construct a 680m below-ground facility to store low- and medium-level radioactive waste at the Bruce nuclear station beside Lake Huron. OPG says the rock formations are stable and over 450 million years old.
The proposed site is less than 1.6 kms from the Lake Huron shoreline and “upstream from the main drinking water intakes for southeast Michigan”.
Michigan, USA rules prohibit low-level nuclear waste from being stored within 10 miles (16 kilometres) of the lakes and rivers in the Great Lakes system bordering Michigan. However, Michigan does allow construction of waste sites on the grounds of a nuclear generating station so OGP says that the proposal is in compliance with Michigan’s laws.
Low-level radioactive waste includes protective clothing worn by workers, and mops or towels used to wipe up spills of contaminated water.
Medium-level radioactive waste includes used parts from the reactor core which must be packed in radiation-proof containers and remain dangerous for hundreds of years.
All low- and intermediate-level waste for Ontario’s nuclear reactors is currently stored on the surface at the Bruce nuclear site.
High-level waste such as spent fuel is stored on the surface at the nuclear stations where it was used. Critics are not convinced that high-level waste will not be added to the site in the future.
Timeline (chronological order)
|
Date |
Event |
|
June 2015 |
Federal review panel recommends approval of project subject to fulfillment of 100 conditions (source). Approval by federal Environment Minister delayed until after election. |
|
- December 2015 |
90 federal comment period |
|
December 2, 2015 |
Decision expected by Canadian Minister of the Environment |
|
February 2016 |
Federal government delays OPG nuclear waste proposal decision (article) |
|
2017 |
Ontario Power Generation requests support from Ontario municipalities |
|
2020-01-31 |
Saugeen Ojibway Nation members voted strongly against the plan (article) |
News - Deep Geological Repository (DGR)
|
Date |
Source |
Title |
Comment |
|
2020-06-22 |
BlackburnNews.com |
Janice MacKay
|
|
|
2020-02-21 |
CBC News |
Bruce County divided over becoming permanent site to store Canada's nuclear waste |
Colin Butler |
|
2020-01-31 |
Owen Sound Sun Times |
|
|
|
2019-02-17 |
TheStar.com |
Nuclear-waste bunker decision to likely to fall to next federal government |
Colin Perkel |
|
2017-08-25 |
Northumberland Today |
Northumberland County councillors oppose burying nuclear waste near Great Lakes |
Valerie MacDonald |
|
2016-02-19 |
Talk Radio AM 640 |
Federal government delays OPG nuclear waste proposal decision |
|
|
2015-08-10 |
MichiganRadio.org |
1909 treaty could keep Canadian nuclear waste away from Great Lakes |
- Senator Debbie Stabenow |
|
2015-06-07 |
Globe and Mail |
Decision on Lake Huron nuclear waste facility delayed until after election |
Shawn McCarthy |
|
2015-05-07 |
MacombDaily.com |
Panel approves underground nuclear waste facility near Lake Huron |
Gina Joseph |
|
2015-05-06 |
CBC News |
Lake Huron nuclear waste plan passes environmental assessment |
- federal review panel approval |
|
2014-08-06 |
Toronto Star |
Thomas Walkom |
|
|
2014-07-14 |
Globe and Mail |
Shawn McCarthy |
|
|
2014-06-12 |
State Senator Phil Pavlov |
Senate unanimously passes legislation to halt proposed Canadian nuclear waste facility |
Phil Pavlov
|
|
2014-02-28 |
Toronto Star |
Bruce waste site radiation understated, says former OPG scientist |
John Spears |
|
2014-02-13 |
FreeThePressCanada |
Special Report: Fracking Nuclear Waste, Say What? #cdnpoli #onpoli |
Amy MacPherson AO Info: Oil & Gas News - Ontario - Kellie Leitch |
|
2013-10-22 |
MLive (USA) |
Fritz Klug |
|
|
2013-09-25 |
Toronto Star |
First Nations must speak for themselves, nuclear hearing told |
John Spears |
|
2013-09-24 |
Toronto Star |
OPP should stay out of homes of nuclear waste opponents: Editorial |
|
|
2013-09-21 |
Toronto Star |
OPP quiz opponents to Lake Huron nuclear dump prior to hearings: Walkom |
Thomas Walkom |
|
2013-08 |
Sierra Club Canada |
Gordon Thompson |
|
|
2013-08-19 |
Metro |
Luke Simcoe Includes video by Michigan State Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood |
|
|
2013-08-18 |
Detroit News (USA) |
Questions, concern surround plan to store nuclear waste near Lake Huron |
Jim Lynch |
|
2013-08-18 |
Michigan Radio (USA) |
The Associated Press |
|
|
2013-08-15 |
Joint Review Panel |
Deadline to submit presentations 27-Aug-2013 CEA registry #17520 |
|
|
2013-08-12 |
Macomb Daily |
Gina Joseph |
|
|
2013-07-06 |
EcoWatch / DeSmog Canada |
Elizabeth Hand Can we learn anything from the oil & gas industry? |
|
|
2013-07-03 |
EcoWatch / Michael Leonardi |
Michael Leonardi Checkout the comments |
|
|
2013-06-23 |
Joint Review Panel |
Announcement expected |
Re: next steps (public hearing or ?) (more info required) |
|
2013-06-17 |
Toronto Star |
John Spears Orangeville? |
|
|
2013-06-02 |
CTV News |
Skullduggery alleged over mayors' 'secret' nuclear-waste storage meetings |
Colin Perkel, The Canadian Press |
|
2013-05-29 |
Joint Review Panel |
Stella Swanson, Chair Additional information request |
|
|
2013-05-23 |
Toronto Star |
Michigan state Senate says Ontario nuclear waste site “raises serious concerns” |
John Spears |
|
2013-01-30 |
Ontarion (University of Guelph) |
|
|
|
2012-11-24 |
GoPetition |
Stglnd To Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, Cda |
29-May-2013
Interested Parties:
For your information, the Panel is continuing with its evaluation of the DGR project information and submissions received in relation to the review http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/documents/p17520/89650E.pdf. On or prior to June 23, 2013, the Panel will determine whether the information adequately addresses the requirements of the EIS Guidelines. At that time, the Panel will either schedule and announce the public hearing for the project or request more information from Ontario Power Generation before proceeding to the hearing phase of the review.
For more information:
Opposition: www.Stopthegreatlakesnucleardump.com
Search “Stop the Great Lakes Nuclear Dump” on www.facebook.com
“This nuclear waste repository will be surrounded by Lake Huron on three sides and be located just upstream from the main drinking water intake for southeast Michigan. If this radioactive material leaks, the drinking water for 40 million people could be contaminated.” U.S. Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood (video)
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Disclaimer: This information has been compiled through private amateur research for the purpose of allowing the reader to make an informed and educated decision. However, while the information is believed to be reliable, accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
APPENDICES
https://awareontario.nfshost.com/AWARE-Ontario/Issues/Nuclear_DGRP/OPG%20DGR%20Huron%20Overview.htm
Further items to research:
Nuclear waste dump at Port Granby?
#FirstNations #IdleNoMore #GDRP #nuclear #LakeHuron #GreatLakes #ProtectOurWater