Mémoire de. Written Submission from. The Pickering Nuclear Community Advisory Council. The Pickering Nuclear Community Advisory Council PMD 13-P1.

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1 Deep Geologic Repository Joint Review Panel Commission d examen conjoint du projet de stockage dans des couches géologiques profondes PMD 13-P1.58 File / dossier : Date: Edocs: Written Submission from The Pickering Nuclear Community Advisory Council Mémoire de The Pickering Nuclear Community Advisory Council In the Matter of À l égard de Ontario Power Generation Inc. Ontario Power Generation Inc. Proposed Environmental Impact Statement for OPG s Deep Geological Repository (DGR) Project for Low and Intermediate Level Waste Étude proposée pour l énoncé des incidences environnementales pour l Installation de stockage de déchets radioactifs à faible et moyenne activité dans des couches géologiques profondes Joint Review Panel Commission d examen conjoint September 16 to October 12, septembre au 12 octobre 2013

2 PICKERING NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION Community Advisory Council CARE OF: Public Dialogue Alternatives, 292 Dupont St., PO Box 40060, Toronto, Ont. M5R 0A2 DGR Joint Panel Review Hearing Written Only Submission From The Pickering Nuclear Community Advisory Council August 9, 2013 The Pickering Nuclear Community Advisory Council (CAC) would like to comment on the Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) project in Kincardine. We would like to intervene through this written submission to the Joint Review Panel hearing on September 16, The CAC supports the development of the DGR based on the findings and conclusions of the Environmental Assessment. A core vehicle for OPG dialogue with the public, the CAC assists Pickering Nuclear Generating Station in identifying and responding effectively to the concerns of the local and regional community. The proposed DGR is relevant to the Pickering community because low level and intermediate radioactive waste from the local plant is transported to the Western Waste Management Facility (WWMF) in Kincardine, and because much of this waste would end up in longterm storage in the DGR. We are among the beneficiaries of the production of nuclear power in our community and have an interest in seeing the resulting waste handled in a responsible manner. While we have confidence in the temporary storage arrangements for low and intermediate levels of radioactive waste from the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, we recognize the need for long-term storage of these wastes. Several CAC members recently visited the WWMF as well as the site of the proposed DGR. We discussed the proposal with leading scientists and technologists involved in the project, who showed us illustrations of the proposed storage facility, explained its functions, and presented samples of the extremely stable limestone where the waste will be housed. We asked challenging questions regarding such issues as the potential effects of earthquakes, the possibility of contamination of the water table or lake, and the potential for future generations tampering with the site, all of which they answered to our satisfaction. The CAC believes that the low and intermediate level nuclear waste produced by PNGS is the direct responsibility of OPG, but also the responsibility of the local and regional community that enjoys the economic and employment benefits of Pickering Nuclear as well as all who enjoy the benefits of the power the plant produces. We believe the proposed DGR is a safe and responsible solution to

3 the long-term storage of low and intermediate level radioactive waste from nuclear plants in Ontario. The material that would go to the DGR is (or will be) in safe storage in the WWMF at Kincardine. This material would be moved for longterm safe storage to the DGR less than a kilometre away, involving no transport on public roadways. Similarly, the DGR is a safe and responsible solution to much of the waste produced by the eventual decommissioning of nuclear plants in Ontario. The DGR site is a significant distance from local population centres, approximately 16 kilometres from Kincardine and approximately 4.5 km from the hamlet of Inverhuron. The site lies in limestone that has proven stable over billions of years and will continue so for billions of years to come. We believe this site comes as close to foolproof as is humanly possible and is preferable to leaving the low and intermediate level waste above ground. CAC Background The PNGS Community Advisory Council is made up of citizens, representatives of community organizations and members of local government staff and agencies who examine a wide range of issues associated with OPG in Durham Region and at the corporate level. Most members report back to one or more constituencies. Meetings are open to the public and media. Minutes are posted on the OPG public website and are available through public libraries in Durham Region. The CAC probably has more regular interaction with OPG than any other group in the community. The company does not just provide information, including technical information made understandable for lay people, but also asks for and receives our feedback. Since the group s inception in 2000, a level of trust between the CAC and OPG has developed which has enhanced the productivity of our dialogue. While the Council has an excellent relationship with OPG, we continue to speak to and about the company frankly. The Council maintains a good mix of new and experienced members, which makes for continuity in our dialogue. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed DGR. Contact: John Vincett, CAC Facilitator Public Dialogue Alternatives 292 Dupont Street. PO Box Toronto, Ontario M5R 0A2 Tel: jvincett@pdalternatives.com; cc. to: fgillis@pdalternatives.com 2

4 cc. to: Pickering Nuclear Generating Station (PNGS) Darlington Nuclear Generating Station (DNGS) DNGS Community Advisory Council Durham Nuclear Health Committee Lynda Cain, Senior Communications Advisor, OPG, Tiverton, Ontario DGR Community Advisory Committee Bruce Power Lisa Thompson, MPP, Huron Bruce Ben Lobb, MP, Huron Bruce Enclosures: CAC Terms of Reference List of CAC members with affiliations 3

5 CAC List of Members 2013 Elliotte Boyko, West Rouge Community Association Jim Dike, Frenchman s Bay Yacht Club Norma Drummond, former member of the Durham Nuclear Health Committee; used to work in public health John Earley, Pickering East Shore Community Association (PESCA) Keith Falconer, President of PESCA Kevin Heritage, Municipal Representative, Town of Ajax (The Council for the Town of Ajax has not taken a position on the proposed DGR.) Tim Kellar, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade Doug Lockrey, Pickering Naturalists Greg Lymer, Municipal Representative, Durham Region (Durham Regional Council has not taken a position on the proposed DGR.) Patrick Mattson, Citizen at Large, Pickering Helen Shamsipour, a civil engineering technologist in the water division, City of Toronto Dan Shire, Pickering Naturalists Mary Williams, Toronto and Region Conservation Deborah Wylie, Municipal Representative, City of Pickering (The Council for the City of Pickering has not taken a position on the proposed DGR.)