Managing used nuclear fuel and wastes

The nuclear industry is a Canadian leader in managing its used fuel and its waste products.

Once nuclear fuel bundles have been in the reactor for a period of time generating the steam that leads to creating electricity, they must be removed and safely managed. They have high levels of radioactivity.

Used nuclear fuel is stored very safely and securely at the nuclear stations.

Nuclear stations also produce wastes with intermediate and low levels of radioactivity. These are also very carefully managed.

Long-Term Management

Used fuel is stored in very safe and extremely secure facilities at the nuclear sites. Low and intermediate level wastes are also stored at the sites. Used fuel and nuclear wastes can be stored at the nuclear sites for many decades to come.

The federal government's Nuclear Waste Management Organization has a plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel. It is also seeking regulatory approvals, on behalf of Ontario Power Generation, for the construction of a Deep Geologic Repository for the long-term management of intermediate and low-level nuclear wastes.