Thunder Bay

Nipigon says no to nuclear waste storage

The township of Nipigon says it is no longer interested in hosting nuclear waste.

The township of Nipigon says it is no longer interested in hosting nuclear waste.

The announcement came at a council meeting Tuesday night.

Mayor Richard Harvey said council and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization agreed, after an interim report, to stop exploring the possibility of storing the waste in the community.

"There were uncertainties as to whether it would truly foster in our community … whether it would fit, whether it was in line with our aspirations, [and] our goals as a community,” Harvey said.

Nuclear Waste Management Organization spokesperson Mike Krizanc agreed.

“There are a number of uncertainties that are emerging about the potential of the area to meet the project requirements, both in terms of the geology and the social economic and cultural considerations,” he said.

Five other municipalities in the northwest — Ignace, Hornepayne, Schrieber, Manitouwadge and White River — will continue in the process of determining their eligibility to store the waste.