Selecting a site

The NWMO Updates White River Committee About Planned APM Technical Facilities

This photo depicts Derek Wilson of the NWMO providing a technical update at the October White River Community Liaison Committee meeting.

The NWMO’s Derek Wilson discusses the updated Adaptive Phased Management project description at the October White River Community Liaison Committee meeting.

October 28, 2016

White River, Ont.

Share
This photo depicts Derek Wilson of the NWMO providing a technical update at the October White River Community Liaison Committee meeting.

The NWMO’s Derek Wilson discusses the updated Adaptive Phased Management project description at the October White River Community Liaison Committee meeting.

Derek Wilson, the NWMO’s Vice-President of Design and Construction, reviewed the updated Adaptive Phased Management project description with the White River Community Liaison Committee in October. His presentation highlighted the possible range of facilities that will be associated with the project.

“There is a lot more to this project than the actual deep geological repository,” Mr. Wilson said. “Some of the associated activities, like the Centre of Expertise, are planned to come online years before any construction of the repository.”

Mr. Wilson said once a preferred site is identified, the Centre of Expertise would be constructed to provide an opportunity to further develop and demonstrate the equipment and processes that would be used during operation, and to provide support for detailed site characterization activities. The centre would also support environment and social research, and ongoing engagement efforts.

He also described the new container design for used nuclear fuel. Important features of the design are corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, ease of fabrication, capacity, and compatibility with surrounding sealing materials.

“A benefit of the new design is its ability to be manufactured in the host community or surrounding region, depending on interest,” he said. “The required materials and technology for the containers are readily available in Canada.”
About the NWMO

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s used nuclear fuel inside a deep geological repository, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.

Founded in 2002, the NWMO has been guided for more than 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders that are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. Canada’s plan will only proceed in an area with informed and willing hosts, where the municipality, First Nation and Métis communities, and others in the area are working together to implement it. The NWMO plans to select a site in 2024, and two areas remain in our site selection process: the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation-Ignace area in northwestern Ontario and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation-South Bruce area in southern Ontario.

Sign up for NWMO news and updates

Subscribe and receive NWMO news, reports, updates and more delivered to your inbox.