The Ignace Visitor’s Centre is playing host to an information kiosk on the long-term management of nuclear waste.

Both the neighbouring communities of Ignace and Ear Falls are exploring the possibility of becoming the site of a deep geological repository for the nation’s used nuclear fuel.

Community officials from Ignace travelled to Southern Ontario’s Bruce Nuclear Generating Station last year to hear more about the development of the large infrastructure project on the scale of $6-8 billion.

Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) Communications Director Michael Krizanc says Ignace officials have proceeded very cautiously, meeting with federal regulators in Ottawa and demanding a third-party review of NWMO’s work.

“They (Ignace) have asked us for funding for an independent consultant to review our work and provide them with some advice,” said Krizanc. “That’s been their involvement to date. They have not formally requested an initial screening, as Ear Falls has.”

Municipal officials in Ear Falls voted to enter the site screening process this past June — a study using existing information from the Geological Survey of Canada to make an initial determination whether a proposed site could be safely developed as a repository for nuclear waste storage.

Ear Falls municipal officials will also meet with NWMO officials at the end of August at Southern Ontario’s Darlington Nuclear Generating Station to familiarize themselves better with the nuclear waste storage process.

Krizanc says the site selection process was two years in the development and requires a widespread community support — such as a community referendum — to be enacted. He adds that communities can opt out of the process at any time.

“It’ll take much more than a municipal council to make a final decision,” said Krizanc. “A community will have to demonstrate its willingness to host this project in a compelling way before they will be selected. The siting process is a very long term project. If a community does express interest in the project, we will work with that community for eight to 10 years to provide that community with the information that they need so that they can make an informed decision in their own best interest.”

-Chris Marchand