Concerned citizens in Renfrew County have raised concerns over the Near Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF) project proposed by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL).
Ann Pohl, with the Kitchissippi-Ottawa Valley Chapter of the Council of Canadians made a presentation to the County of Renfrew Development and Property meeting on May 10th, 2022.
Pohl says CNL is the best private employer in the County of Renfrew, but adds they need to build the NSDF better and in a better location.
She says the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, who gives the final approvals, only seems to be in support of industry and claims they’ve never turned down an application.
Pohl says while she is not anti-nuclear, she questions the process and feels the story of the Near Surface Disposal Facility is not being told properly and is being twisted.
Pohl talked about how the project followed guidelines set out in 2011 or 2012 instead of newly updates guidelines in 2019.
The NSDF would host up to 1-million cubic meters of low-level radioactive waste and be located approximately one kilometer away from the Ottawa River at the Chalk River Labs.
During the first part of the public hearing process, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission felt confident the NSDF project would not have a negative impact on people and the environment. Members with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and CNL have both said they will ensure the Ottawa River remains protected. CNL has also committed to an environmental assessment follow-up monitoring program. The nuclear safety regulator says the design includes safety features that will contain the waste and says the proposed location is suitable.
Part two of the hearings gets underway May 30th in Pembroke.