Canadian energy company proposes storing nuclear waste near Lake Huron

Great Lakes from space (Credit: SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, and ORBIMAGE.)

A Canadian power company proposed the storage of nuclear waste less than a mile from Lake Huron, according to an article from Midwest Energy News.

Ontario Power Generation officials want to build the 680 meter deep storage facility in a layer of limestone.  The plan is to store low level nuclear waste there, such as cleaning supplies, contaminated clothing and equipment. Intermediate level waste like residues from water treatment at the company’s nuclear plants will also be stored there.

The site is approximately 1.2 kilometers from Lake Huron.  The storage facility will be 600 meters deeper than the lake.

A government review panel will examine the plan, which is backed by geologists and hydrologists funded to study the site.

Image: Great Lakes from space (Credit: SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, and ORBIMAGE.)