Nuclear waste abandonment risks the dangers of amnesia

Authors

Erika Simpson, University of Western Ontario (Western University)Follow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-13-2023

Journal

Hill Times

Abstract

This abstract discusses the proposed plan by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) to store Canada's nuclear waste in a deep geological repository (DGR) in northern Ontario, highlighting significant safety concerns. The NWMO's current strategy involves burying high-level nuclear waste underground at a site near Teeswater, Ontario, potentially impacting nearby communities and raising questions about long-term environmental and human health risks. Alternative approaches, such as a rolling stewardship model that allows for periodic retrieval and repackaging of nuclear waste, are proposed as safer alternatives. The abstract also addresses regulatory processes, public consultations, and international comparisons, underscoring the complex considerations involved in managing nuclear waste responsibly and sustainably.

Notes

First published in The Hill Times, Canada' foremost foreign and defense policy magazine.