Posted on Sept. 26: Experts explore solutions to nuclear waste

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/reactor_opt.jpg” caption=”Nuclear Reactor”]Fifty-five of Canada's top nuclear specialists were at McMaster today to brainstorm about the technical aspects of one of the country's most difficult public policy issues the long-term management of nuclear fuel waste.

The event was organized by the McMaster Institute for Energy Studies and sponsored by Canada's Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO).

Used nuclear fuel is a bi-product of electricity generation and, if not managed properly, can be hazardous. The NWMO has a mandate to conduct a study and recommend to the federal government how Canada might manage its used fuel over the long-term in a way that is ethically acceptable, economically feasible, technically sound and environmentally sustainable.

NWMO President Elizabeth Dowdeswell told the workshop delegates that “the challenge is to develop a contract between science and society. It is a challenge of integrating the best science with the evolving social and ethical values of society,” she said. “We must ensure that any scientifically sound plan has some level of informed public support or societal acceptance.”

Co-chairs for the workshop were Les Shemilt, McMaster professor emeritus, chemical engineering, and David Shoesmith, professor, chemistry at The University of Western Ontario. The report produced as a result of the workshop is expected to identify some of the key technical issues, questions and broad parameters that need to be addressed in the NWMO study.

Photo caption: NWMO President Elizabeth Dowdeswell gets a hands-on tour of McMaster's nuclear reactor from manager of operations Mike Butler. Photo credit: Rob Tatlock

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[img_inline align="right" src="http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/reactor_opt.jpg" caption="Nuclear Reactor"]Fifty-five of Canada&#039;s top nuclear specialists were at McMaster today to brainstorm about the technical aspects of one of the country&#039;s most difficult public policy issues  the long-term management of nuclear fuel waste.  <p><br />
<br />
The event was organized by the McMaster Institute for Energy Studies and sponsored by Canada&#039;s Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO).  <p><br />
<br />
Used nuclear fuel is a bi-product of electricity generation and, if not managed properly, can be hazardous.  The NWMO has a mandate to conduct a study and recommend to the federal government how Canada might manage its used fuel over the long-term in a way that is ethically acceptable, economically feasible, technically sound and environmentally sustainable.  <p><br />
<br />
NWMO President Elizabeth Dowdeswell told the workshop delegates that "the challenge is to develop a contract between science and society.  It is a challenge of integrating the best science with the evolving social and ethical values of society," she said. "We must ensure that any scientifically sound plan has some level of informed public support or societal acceptance."<p><br />
<br />
Co-chairs for the workshop were Les Shemilt, McMaster professor emeritus, chemical engineering, and David Shoesmith, professor, chemistry at The University of Western Ontario. The report produced as a result of the workshop is expected to identify some of the key technical issues, questions and broad parameters that need to be addressed in the NWMO study.  <p><br />
<br />
<i>Photo caption:  NWMO President Elizabeth Dowdeswell gets a hands-on tour of McMaster&#039;s nuclear reactor from manager of operations Mike Butler. Photo credit:  Rob Tatlock</i>

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