As part of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO) ongoing journey to implement Canada’s Plan for the safe, long term management of used nuclear fuel, we have released a draft transportation planning framework document.
Since 2016, the NWMO has engaged with Canadians to ensure that future transportation plans are designed to reflect the public’s interests and feedback Moving Forward Together – An Invitation to Review a Draft Planning Framework for the Transportation of Used Nuclear Fuel captures our work to date and encourages us to move further.
We are inviting public feedback on this draft framework from Canadians and Indigenous people through an online survey. Information sessions (mindful of public health guidelines), online virtual presentations, and conversations about transportation will also take place over the coming months. This input will help guide and shape future plans for the transportation of used nuclear fuel in Canada.
Currently, used nuclear fuel is safely stored on an interim basis at existing reactor sites across Canada and would need to be transported to a central repository site. We expect to identify the single, preferred location for the deep geological repository in 2023, to be located in an area with informed and willing hosts. Operation of the deep geological repository and associated transportation of used nuclear fuel would begin in the 2040s.
More information will be shared on our website and through NWMO’s social media channels (@NWMOCanada).