Deep Geologic Repository in Kincardine, Ontario
Encyclopedia
Ontario Power Generation's Deep Geologic Repository is Ontario Power Generation
’s (OPG) proposed repository for low and intermediate level radioactive waste
. The facility would be located on the Bruce nuclear site
, which is near Tiverton in the Municipality of Kincardine, Ontario
.
The deep geological repository
is designed to manage low and intermediate level radioactive waste, produced from the continued operations at the Bruce
, Pickering
and Darlington
nuclear generating stations in Ontario. Low level waste
(LILW-SL, Short lived) consists of industrial items that have become contaminated with low levels of radioactivity during routine clean-up and maintenance activities at nuclear generating stations. Intermediate level radioactive waste (LILW-LL, Long lived) consists primarily of ion-exchange resins and filters used to purify reactor water systems, and used reactor components such as steam generators and reactor pressure tubes.
The OPG DGR would be located 680 metres or 2230 feet below the surface, beneath very thick layers of limestone and shale rock, which have remained stable for more than 450 million years.
Ontario Power Generation
Ontario Power Generation is a public company wholly owned by the Government of Ontario. OPG is responsible for approximately 70% of the electricity generation in the Province of Ontario, Canada. Sources of electricity include nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, wind, and fossil fuel...
’s (OPG) proposed repository for low and intermediate level radioactive waste
Radioactive waste
Radioactive wastes are wastes that contain radioactive material. Radioactive wastes are usually by-products of nuclear power generation and other applications of nuclear fission or nuclear technology, such as research and medicine...
. The facility would be located on the Bruce nuclear site
Bruce Nuclear Generating Station
Bruce Nuclear Generating Station is a Canadian nuclear power station located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron, in the communities of Inverhuron and Tiverton, Ontario. It occupies 932 ha of land. The facility derives its name from Bruce County in which it is located, in the former Bruce Township...
, which is near Tiverton in the Municipality of Kincardine, Ontario
Kincardine, Ontario
The Municipality of Kincardine is located on the shores of Lake Huron in the County of Bruce in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has a population of 12,000, and covers an area of 580 square kilometres...
.
The deep geological repository
Deep geological repository
A deep geological repository is a nuclear waste repository excavated deep within a stable geologic environment...
is designed to manage low and intermediate level radioactive waste, produced from the continued operations at the Bruce
Bruce Nuclear Generating Station
Bruce Nuclear Generating Station is a Canadian nuclear power station located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron, in the communities of Inverhuron and Tiverton, Ontario. It occupies 932 ha of land. The facility derives its name from Bruce County in which it is located, in the former Bruce Township...
, Pickering
Pickering Nuclear Generating Station
Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is a Canadian nuclear power station located on the north shore of Lake Ontario in Pickering, Ontario. The facility derives its name from the City of Pickering in which it is located....
and Darlington
Darlington Nuclear Generating Station
Darlington Nuclear Generating Station is a Canadian nuclear power station located on the north shore of Lake Ontario in Clarington, Ontario. The facility derives its name from the Township of Darlington, the former name of the municipality in which it is located.The Darlington station is a large...
nuclear generating stations in Ontario. Low level waste
Low level waste
Low-Level Waste is a term used to describe nuclear waste that does not fit into the categorical definitions for high-level waste , spent nuclear fuel , transuranic waste , or certain byproduct materials known as 11e wastes, such as uranium mill tailings...
(LILW-SL, Short lived) consists of industrial items that have become contaminated with low levels of radioactivity during routine clean-up and maintenance activities at nuclear generating stations. Intermediate level radioactive waste (LILW-LL, Long lived) consists primarily of ion-exchange resins and filters used to purify reactor water systems, and used reactor components such as steam generators and reactor pressure tubes.
The OPG DGR would be located 680 metres or 2230 feet below the surface, beneath very thick layers of limestone and shale rock, which have remained stable for more than 450 million years.