Post by L Roebuck on Jun 5, 2006 8:28:31 GMT -5
Nuclear cleanup plan would store waste in caves near Ottawa River
DENNIS BUECKERT
Canadian Press
OTTAWA -- A $520-million plan to clean up nuclear research sites in Canada includes a proposal for underground waste disposal in caverns near the Ottawa River.
Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn said yesterday previous governments have failed to deal with the legacy of radioactive waste from nuclear research and development dating to the 1940s.
"Today as part of the government's plan to deliver clean air, water, land and energy to our citizens, we are making a funding commitment of $520-million over five years to clean up the waste from past activities," he said at a news conference.
"This plan will reduce risks and liabilities over the long term and is consistent with international best practices."
The initiative is intended to clean up Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. facilities at Deep River, Ont., the Whiteshell Laboratories at Pinawa, Man., and three prototype reactors in Quebec and Ontario.
The waste is considered to be at the low or intermediate level in terms of radioactivity. It does not include highly radioactive spent fuel from Candu power reactors.
Mr. Lunn announced the plan at AECL's Chalk River Laboratories near the town of Deep River, Ont. The small community is situated next to the Ottawa River.
Mr. Lunn did not mention the potential use of underground caverns beside the large river.
For the rest of the article click HERE
DENNIS BUECKERT
Canadian Press
OTTAWA -- A $520-million plan to clean up nuclear research sites in Canada includes a proposal for underground waste disposal in caverns near the Ottawa River.
Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn said yesterday previous governments have failed to deal with the legacy of radioactive waste from nuclear research and development dating to the 1940s.
"Today as part of the government's plan to deliver clean air, water, land and energy to our citizens, we are making a funding commitment of $520-million over five years to clean up the waste from past activities," he said at a news conference.
"This plan will reduce risks and liabilities over the long term and is consistent with international best practices."
The initiative is intended to clean up Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. facilities at Deep River, Ont., the Whiteshell Laboratories at Pinawa, Man., and three prototype reactors in Quebec and Ontario.
The waste is considered to be at the low or intermediate level in terms of radioactivity. It does not include highly radioactive spent fuel from Candu power reactors.
Mr. Lunn announced the plan at AECL's Chalk River Laboratories near the town of Deep River, Ont. The small community is situated next to the Ottawa River.
Mr. Lunn did not mention the potential use of underground caverns beside the large river.
For the rest of the article click HERE