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What is Adaptive Phased Management?
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Adaptive
Phased Management is both a technical method and a management system,
with an emphasis on adaptability. Technically, it is centralized
containment and isolation of used nuclear fuel in a deep geological
repository. The management system involves realistic, manageable phases
– each marked by explicit decision points with continuing participation
by interested Canadians. It is flexible, allowing for go, no-go
decisions at each stage to take advantage of new knowledge or changing
societal priorities.
Adaptive Phased Management provides an
option for shallow underground storage at the central site if some or
all of the used fuel needs to be moved before the deep repository is
available. It also provides for continuous monitoring throughout
implementation and for retrievability for an extended period.
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Do Canadians support Adaptive Phased Management? How do you know?
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The
Adaptive Phased Management approach emerged from the three year
dialogue the NWMO had with Canadians and is responsive to the
priorities they said were important. In dialogues after the
recommendation was released in draft, most participants – except those
who feel no long-term management approach is appropriate without first
phasing out nuclear power – told us that overall Adaptive Phased
Management is a reasonable and appropriate approach for Canada.
During
the study individuals and groups with diverse perspectives proposed
values and objectives to guide NWMO decision making. The majority of
those we engaged recognized the need to move forward and begin the
process of implementing a long-term management approach for used
nuclear fuel. APM has a clear direction with flexibility built in to
explore areas where citizens wish to gain greater confidence.
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How will a central site be chosen?
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The process for selecting a central site will be developed collaboratively with Canadians.
During
the study phase Canadians were clear about a number of siting
principles. Among them was the belief that the location must be
acceptable to an informed and willing host community. The site must
also be technically sound; suitable for a deep geological repository
and for optional shallow underground storage and a characterization
facility.
Siting efforts will be focused in the four provinces
directly involved in the nuclear fuel cycle: Ontario, Quebec, New
Brunswick and Saskatchewan. Should communities in other regions
express an interest, they will also be considered.
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Won’t transportation of used nuclear fuel be risky?
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The
NWMO will need to demonstrate the safety of any transportation system
prior to its implementation. Our research and discussions with
authorities in Canada and abroad suggest that used nuclear fuel can be
transported safely. Internationally, many nations have been regularly
transporting used fuel for decades. Robust transport containers are
designed to withstand severe accidents and transport conditions, and
must meet high standards which are continually reviewed by regulatory
and licensing bodies.
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Does this plan allow for new nuclear plants? Or different types of used fuel? |
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The
NWMO has a legal obligation to manage all of Canada’s used nuclear fuel
– that which exists now, and that which will be produced in the
future.
Adaptive Phased Management was primarily designed for
the fuel from Canada’s existing reactors. We have tested APM against
many future used fuel scenarios and it was found to be technically
capable of dealing with additional quantities and different types of
used nuclear fuel. It has the potential to accommodate many of the
changes that are likely to be required as Canadian energy policy
develops, science and technology advance, and societal expectations and
values evolve.
The NWMO will continue research and testing to ensure that its plans
and programs address new circumstances and remain robust.
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Does this plan legitimize new nuclear build? |
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It
is not the intent of the NWMO to advocate one energy source over
another. Used fuel exists and must be managed. Adaptive Phased
Management addresses the need of Canadians for safety, security and
protection of the environment. The NWMO is committed to protecting
both this and future generations in this regard. The organization has
no view on energy choices.
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Why don’t we recycle used nuclear fuel? |
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Used
nuclear fuel is reprocessed in some parts of the world. In Canada, any
decision to reprocess would have to be made by the nuclear operators in
conjunction with government and the regulators. Consideration would
have to be given to other types of radioactive wastes which would be
produced, the potential for separating out material that could be used
in the production of nuclear weapons and the expense of reprocessing.
Nevertheless,
the NWMO would be responsible for the long-term management of high
level wastes resulting from reprocessing and we continue to monitor
ongoing research in the area of recycling used nuclear fuel.
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How much will the long-term management of used nuclear fuel cost? Who will pay for it? |
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A conservative view of the cost is approximately $6 billion, present value.
The
used fuel owners are responsible for the costs. The Nuclear Fuel Waste
Act requires them to contribute annually to trust funds to ensure that
the NWMO has the money necessary to implement the Adaptive Phased
Management approach. With contributions made by the owners in 2006,
deposits to the trust funds since their establishment in 2002 totalled
$990 million.
The NWMO may access the trust funds only for the
purpose of implementing Adaptive Phased Management once a construction
or operating licence has been issued under the Nuclear Safety and
Control Act.
As of January 2, 2007 the committed liability
associated with the long-term management of the current inventory of
used nuclear fuel was about $4.4 billion. The total value of waste
owners segregated funds (including the NWMO trust funds) dedicated to
the long-term management of used nuclear fuel was $3.3 billion as of
December 31, 2006.
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How does Adaptive Phased Management compare with what others are doing?
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Similar
plans have recently been approved in the UK and France and are already
well advanced in other European countries such as Finland and Sweden.
After
a site selection process and agreement by a host community, Finland has
begun underground characterization of a site for a deep geological
repository for used nuclear fuel and is preparing for the licensing
process. Citizens are engaged throughout the process.
Sweden is
also proceeding on a stepwise path towards final site selection for a
deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel.
In October,
2006 the UK Government accepted the recommendation of the Committee on
Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) which called for Phased Deep
Geological Disposal of higher activity radioactive waste.
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What are the NWMO’s next steps?
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Adaptive
Phased Management is a long-term program which will be conducted in an
open and transparent manner. The path forward will involve:
- Continuing to engage Canadians in formulating detailed plans and in making decisions;
- Advancing technical and social research in Canada and through international partnerships and collaboration;
- Developing a proposal to ensue this generation pays for the waste it produces;
- Continually updating our plans to align with ongoing technical and social developments;
- Building an organization with capabilities to implement Adaptive Phased Management; and
- Begin the collaborative design of a siting process.
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