Original post via Kincardine Record.

To the Editor:

The following is an open letter from Dr. Ben Belfadhel, vice-president of site selection, Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)

Dear Neighbours:

I am writing today to address misinformation that has begun circulating in South Bruce and area about the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO). A recent flyer shared throughout the region is based on fear, not facts. As a scientist with nearly 25 years of experience in the safe management of radioactive material, my goal today is to correct the record.

My chosen field is both rewarding and challenging. I understand that the long-term management of used nuclear fuel is controversial, with passionate views held by many. Any large-scale environmental infrastructure project garners intense reaction in local communities. Doubly so, when the project is as unique and generational as the plans to build a Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada’s used nuclear fuel.

That’s why the NWMO has, from its very outset, sought to create a dialogue. We work to involve communities in every step of our work. We want to ensure they are engaged in the process and they have all the necessary facts. Because the hard truth is, we need a long-term solution. Interim storage was never designed to last for thousands of years. But a DGR is.

We owe it to future generations to implement a long-term, sustainable solution. We have the answer. We know how to do it safely. Now, as a generation that has reaped decades of benefits from nuclear power, it is on us to act so our children and grandchildren don’t have to.

At the NWMO, we are implementing a site-selection process that is designed to be fair and inclusive. We respect and welcome a diversity of views. We also value open discussions and challenges to the scientific basis of our project. We consider questions and challenges to be important to the integrity of our work.

However, the description presented by the “Not Willing to Listen” group on the potential impact to Lake Huron, is concerning as it is simply inaccurate and misleading. It is not based on any evidence or any of the well-established hydrogeological models.

Let me be clear: this campaign amounts to fear-mongering. We welcome debate, but not misinformation.

As a scientist, I’ve spent my life looking at issues from all sides. It’s what we do every day at the NWMO. It’s why our technical reports consider every possible factor or variable, right down to possible ice ages centuries from now. But to cherry pick facts, or quite simply make them up, is divisive and does a disservice to the discourse. It runs contrary to the very foundations of the scientific method. And it’s unfair to the many people we hear from each day who are genuinely trying to learn about the project so they can make an informed decision.

The NWMO employs highly-skilled scientists who are among the best in the world. These are passionate citizens who have dedicated their lives to the protection of people and the environment. They are guided by science and the NWMO’s values and commitments. To imply that these experts, these parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and caring members of their communities do not care about our valuable Great Lakes, is disappointing and unfair.

While I respect differences of opinion, there is a minimum of rigour necessary for a productive debate. I would invite the authors of the aforementioned flyer to produce scientific evidence for their claims. I am interested in understanding how they came to their conclusion. They also owe it to their neighbours, like you.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the NWMO. My colleagues and I are always available to answer your questions.

Sincerely,
Dr. Ben Belfadhel
Vice-president of site selection
Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)