TORONTO, April 27, 2009 — In June 2007, the Government of Canada selected Adaptive Phased Management (APM) as Canada's approach for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is committed to working collaboratively with interested and potentially affected citizens and organizations as it implements APM.
The NWMO is launching a dialogue to design a process for identifying and selecting an informed and willing community to host a deep geological repository.
"Over the next few months we want to hear from Canadians about their expectations and preferences for an appropriate siting process," said Ken Nash, President & CEO. "It is important that the process be designed, from the beginning, to address technical considerations required to ensure the safety of any site, and to address the objectives and concerns of Canadians".
To help initiate conversation and input, the NWMO has prepared a discussion document - Moving Forward Together: Designing the Process for Selecting a Site. The document, along with a number of backgrounders, is available at www.nwmo.ca.
As a second step in developing the siting process, the NWMO will prepare a draft proposal based on input it receives this Fall. The draft site selection proposal will be released next year and will be the subject of extensive review and dialogue in 2009.
"We will not begin looking for an informed and willing community to host a repository until after the draft siting process has been considered and discussed with Canadians and refinements are made to address the suggestions and concerns they raise," said Mr. Nash.
Canadians interested in putting forward their views to the NWMO on the design of a siting process may do so before December 15, 2008. They can make a submission, join an e-dialogue or complete a survey on the NWMO website.
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization was established in 2002 by Ontario Power Generation Inc., Hydro-Québec and New Brunswick Power Corporation in accordance with the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act (NFWA) to assume responsibility for the long-term management of Canada's used nuclear fuel