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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOES 07-06 03,8 c¿ú¡,,~ REPORT TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Report Number: OES 07-06 Date: February 13, 2006 From: Everett Buntsma Director, Operations & Emergency Services Subject: Nuclear Waste Management Peer Review of NWMO Final Report File: A-2130-001 Recommendation: 1. That Council receive Report OES 07-06 concerning the peer review of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization Final Report; and 2. That Council urge Nuclear Waste Management Organization to address the list of outstanding issues related to their Final Report as identified in the Acres - Sargent & Lundy Peer Review Report; and 3. That Council be on record as continuing to support the work that the Nuclear Waste Organization (NWMO) is conducting and that the Federal Government be urged to promptly begin addressing the recommendations of NWMO Final Report; and 4. That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the Federal Minister of Natural Resources, Nuclear Waste Management Organization, Canadian Association of Nuclear Host Communities, and Ontario Power Generation. Executive Summary: The City received the NWMO Final Report on long-term nuclear waste storage in November 2005. The Final Report recommends a process that NWMO titled "Adaptive Phased Management" The Canadian Association of Nuclear Host Communities retained the consulting firm Acres - Sargent & Lundy (ASL) to conduct a peer review of the Final Report. During the earlier peer review of the draft Final Report, ASL had concluded that Adaptive Phased Management (APM) is a "reasonable solution." However, ASL and other nuclear host communities, including the City of Pickering, identified a collection of matters that needed to be more appropriately addressed in the completed version of the NWMO Final Report. In the recent peer review, ASL has again identified matters that require further assistance. ASL also noted that many of the previously identified issues were addressed in the Final Report or via separate correspondence to CANHC and some of its member municipalities. Report OES 07-06 Date: February 13, 2006 039 Subject: Nuclear Waster Management Page 2 Financial Implications: Compensation to the City for the continued on-site storage of nuclear waste is an outstanding issue that has future financial implications. Within the proposal for Adaptive Phased Management is a recommendation that the waste will remain on-site until a permanent centralized deep geological facility is opened. That period of time could range from approximately thirty to ninety years. The issue of financial compensation during the interim storage period of time has not been fully addressed in the NWMO Final Report. Background: In November 2005, the City received copies of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) Final Report titled "Choosing a Way Forward." Through financial support from NWMO, the Canadian Association of Nuclear Host Communities (CANHC) was able to have Acres - Sargent & Lundy (ASL) conduct a peer review of the Final Report. ASL has completed their peer review of the NWMO Final Report and found that many of the issues that were previously raised were addressed. However, the following information notes that a number other technical, procedural, and social issues have yet to be adequately addressed. ASL has based its conclusions on a detailed assessment of the NWMO Final Report. They have also taken into account NWMO's responses to the outstanding issues by examining a series of letters that the CANHC and some member municipalities have received from NWMO since the release of their Report in November. The following is an excerpt from the recent ASL peer review report: "Overall, in performing its mandated work consistent with its objectives, the NWMO did not specifically address all of the issues raised during the reviews of the Draft Study report. Regardless of the level of detail or how thoroughly the issues were addressed, however, it is important to note that the NWMO clearly committed to qeveloping detailed implementation plans and to continue working with the current host communities, as well as other potentially affected communities, once the federal government selects a long-term management approach." The ASL report includes a table that lists the outstanding issues and it provides comments that describe how NWMO has partially addressed the issues, how well they have done so, and what remains to be addressed. The City and other interested parties have already heard from NWMO that they plan to respond to all of the matters that were collectively identified. OAI t) , '-t. "Report OES 07-06 Date: February 13, 2006 Page 3 Subject: Nuclear Waster Management The following are key issues, according to ASL, that need further attention in regard to the NWMO recommendation for the long term storage process known as Adaptive Phased Management (APM). It is important to note that ASL and the individual host communities collectively identified the original list of issues. OUTSTANDING ISSUES Partially Addressed Compensation Not Addressed Secu rity Partially Storage Addressed Capacity at Reactor Sites Partially Advantages & Addressed Limitations of APM Not Ordovician Addressed Sedimentary Rock Not Potential Addressed Opposition Grou s Partially Engagement Addressed Process NWMO Final Report does not specifically state that the current host communities will receive compensation. The Report clearly notes that current host communities will be involved in Adaptive Phased Management decisions, and that they will be afforded the same considerations as "new" host communities if they are selected as a host for a new long-term nuclear used fuel facility. However, NWMO is not recommending that waste remain on-site on a permanent basis. Therefore in question is whether existing host communities will be afforded the same considerations as new host communities while the used nuclear fuel is in interim storage at existing sites. The Report strongly implies that current host communities will be considered for the full range of socio-economic effects mitigation whether or not they are selected as a host for the new facility. However, NWMO has defined mitigation to include a wide range of optional considerations and actions that may or ma not include financial com ensation. Does not specifically appear to quantify the relative change in risk related to the increased duration of interim existing storage associated with Adaptive Phased Mana ement APM . Does not specifically state that the current reactor sites have adequate storage capacities. However, an NWMO back round a er does artiall address this. Not included in the Final Study report. However, the benefits, risks and costs of APM are discussed in detail. Does not specifically account for potential delays in the siting process due to locating the deep geological re osito in Ordovician sedimenta rock. Does not proactively address potential opposition groups that have not provided input into its en a ement rocess to date. Does not assess whether the level of participation was more or less than ex ected, if there are an Report OES 07-06 Date: February 13, 2006 ((141 Subject: Nuclear Waster Management Page 4 Partially Addressed Partially Addressed Partially Addressed Transportation Implementation Schedule - Details Impact of Potential Delays and the Concept of Interim Centralized Shallow Underground Storage potential stakeholders that have not participated and whose input should be obtained, or if the process should be adjusted or improved during implementation. Does state, "Immediately following a decision by the Government of Canada on the selection of a management approach, the NWMO will assume its mandate as the implementing agency, as required under the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act...we intend to develop the details of our multi-year strategic plans collaboratively with the many communities of interest affected by our project, inviting input on the way in which we design and tailor the many facets of our implementation processes and ro rams for citizen en a ement." Not addressed in detail. However, does specifically address the need for additional transportation lannin . Does not specifically address re-structuring APM or provide more specific details of the expected implementation plan for APM, nor does it provide firm timelines for decision-making. However, in follow-up correspondence, NWMO has provided some details but not to the extent that ASL believes were intended within the original identification of this shortcoming in the Final Re ort. Does not address potential delays in the process of selecting a long-term disposal site or the impact of potential delays. However, in the report the NWMO identifies the need for, and commits to developing, an effective implementation plan once the Federal Government selects a long-term management approach. There appears to be an inconsistency in the Final Study relative to the impact of the potential centralized shallow underground interim storage facility on the implementation schedule for APM. NWMO has partially responded to this matter via subse uent corres ondence. (04 ',? Report OES 07-06 Date: February 13, 2006 Subject: Nuclear Waster Management Page 5 Partially Addressed Partially Addressed Partially Addressed Not Addressed Monitoring (existing nuclear waste) Design Life of Dry Storage Facilities Need for an Expeditious Decision Canada's Nuclear Energy Policy Does not specifically address contingencies related to unacceptable or problematic monitoring results, and does not address the recommendation for more stringent monitoring practices beyond what IS currently required by facility licenses and the CNSC. However, in follow-up correspondence, NWMO does partially address the issue and very specifically recommends ongoing consultation with host communities to address the matter. The impact of the current storage facilities' design life relative to the timing for deciding when to construct the deep repository as part of APM is not specifically addressed. However, this issue is generally addressed by NWMO's description of the APM Phase 1 activities, which include repackaging the used fuel if required. Final Report does not specifically urge the Federal Government to make an expeditious decision. However, NWMO does acknowledge the need to keep the process moving and that APM is the process to accomplish the needed results. NWMO has noted that "We have not examined nor do we make a judgment about the appropriate role of nuclear power generation in Canada." On February 23, 2006 Mayor Ryan will be attending the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association Host Communities where this subject will be a feature topic on the agenda. ASL is scheduled to attend the meeting to discuss their peer review and the above issues. NWMO representatives will also be present to participate in the discussions. At a recent meeting, where CANHC members were present, it was agreed in principle that the Association should correspond directly with the new Federal Minister of Natural Resources to ensure that the interests of the nuclear host communities are appropriately served. Report OES 07-06 Date: February 13, 2006 (14.1 Subject: Nuclear Waster Management Page 6 ~J AL. (Joe) Hu' w cks ~ Com m unity Emergency Management Coordinator Approved I Endorsed By: Evere nts Director, Operations & Emergency Services EB:alh Attachments Recommended for the consideration of Pickering Ci ~o iI // / ./ ~