Two New Studies: Good News For Nuclear

OTTAWA (June 13, 2016) – The Canadian Nuclear Association is pleased with the release of two new independent studies commissioned by the Ontario government on the benefits of advanced nuclear technologies.

The first study, “Feasibility of the Potential Deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Ontario”, assesses SMR siting requirements, technological maturity, and economics. The second study, “A Feasibility Study on the Recycling of Used CANDU Fuel”, explores the prospects to reuse and recycle used CANDU fuel – determining their feasibility, and potential implications for policies.

“The government of Ontario’s initiation of these studies is a further sign that it sees the potential of nuclear to help meet environmental and economic goals,” said CNA President John Barrett.

“It is widely expected that small modular reactors will be an important part of the future of nuclear technology and will expand nuclear’s huge potential to displace fossil fuels and mitigate GHG emissions.”

“The work on fuel recycling addresses one of the CANDU reactor technology’s great selling points. CANDU reactors have the potential to further reduce the nuclear waste stream, including used fuel volume and toxicity.”

Both studies draw on the expertise of the Canadian nuclear sector, and note how technological innovation, regulation, and Canada’s climate change policies come together.

Natural Resources Canada  co-funded the two independent studies, initiated by the Ontario Ministry of Energy (MOE).

Both studies have been released to the public by Ontario, and are online http://ontarioenergyreport.ca/data-catalogue.php#Supply (under the “supply” drop down menu) for your interest.

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For more information:

John Stewart
Director of Policy and Research
613-237-4262 #103
stewartj@cna.ca