Used Nuclear Fuel – A Fresh Look at Engaging with the Public

Abstract

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is responsible for the design and implementation of Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. Initiated with repository siting in 2010, this comprehensive project is unfolding over many decades. Current plans are to select the repository site in 2024 and begin operations at the repository facility by 2043.

Over the past decades, the NWMO has had many conversations about the project with Canadians and Indigenous peoples from all walks of life. People quickly identified that to be able to provide meaningful input on the project, used nuclear fuel, in particular, needs to be better understood.

For many people, the simple mention of radiation conjures feelings of fear and danger. Mass media coverage of radiation events only intensifies our emotional reactions. Adding to this is the fact that the units quantifying radiation: grays, sieverts, rads and rem, are typically unfamiliar. Thus, opinions are often driven by feelings rather than facts; facts which include that radiation is an integral part of the natural environment we live in.

This paper provides a fresh look at used nuclear fuel, including what it is, why it exists, how much there is, and how dangerous it is, and communicates these messages in informative, and relatable ways. It will look at how the NWMO has considered different audiences, from first responders to people that are critical of the nuclear industry (critical voices), with the goal of engaging them to understand and address their concerns.