V17 • I02 • FEBRUARY 2022
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
VOYAGEUR
‘THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR THIS WASTE’ CNL delegation participates in Part 1 of the CNSC’s hearing for NSDF project
A big milestone for the NSDF Project is now in the rearview mirror! On February 22, a delegation from CNL participated in Part 1 of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s (CNSC) hearing for the proposed Near Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF) project, where oral submissions on the facility were presented by CNL and CNSC staff. Among other participants, the delegation included Joe McBrearty, CNL’s President and CEO; Meggan Vickerd, CNL’s General Manager of Waste Services; and Phil Boyle, CNL’s Chief Nuclear Officer and Vice-President of Central Technical Authority. Joe, Meggan and Phil all delivered prepared remarks discussing the safety and the viability of the project, before the entire delegation responded to questions from CNSC Commission members. “The scientific breakthroughs that have been achieved at Chalk River have brought immense benefits to Canada,” commented Mr. McBrearty, during his remarks. “However, much like other nuclear research facilities around the world, these historical operations have generated different forms of nuclear waste. While this waste is being safely managed and monitored for the short term, permanent solutions are necessary in order to reduce the risks that this waste presents to our workforce, the public and the environment.”
“We have had to defer all major environmental remediation of our legacy waste management areas, because we have not had the capacity to manage the volumes of waste that would be generated from executing this critical clean-up mission,” commented Ms. Vickerd, during her remarks to the Commission. “The NSDF is required to facilitate these activities, and has been designed and will be built to modern standards.” As part of the agenda, CNSC Commission staff presented opening remarks on the project, voicing their confidence in the safety of the facility design and CNL’s proposed plans to construct and operate the NSDF. Following prepared remarks, both CNSC and CNL staff responded to a number of questions focused on all areas of the project, including waste management, environmental protection, Indigenous engagement and facility design and operation. Congrats to the project team! Up next is Part 2 of the hearings, which is scheduled to begin on May 31, 2022. While Part 1 heard submissions from CNL and CNSC staff on the licensing application and environmental assessment, Part 2 will present Indigenous communities and members of the public with the opportunity to present their comments to the CNSC commissioners.