Understanding the Climate Plan for Revell
As we look out over the forests of Northwestern Ontario, many of us in Melgund Township, Borups Corners, and Dyment are wondering about the footprint the proposed Revell Site will leave behind. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) recently shared their approach to climate change as part of the ongoing Impact Assessment for the Deep Geological Repository, and we’ve been digging into the details to see what it means for our air and environment.
What We Are Learning
The NWMO says they will mostly use Ontario’s power grid for electricity. For the times they need backup power on-site, they promise to use the “best available technology” to keep emissions low. They have committed to following federal climate rules and reducing greenhouse gases, especially during the early stages when they start clearing land and building.
The Reality Check
What is being promised: The project will use a “small amount” of on-site energy and prioritize low emissions during construction.
What we need to verify: What exactly does a “small amount” mean in kilowatts? Without real numbers, it is hard to know if those backup generators will be noisy or how much exhaust they will put into our local air.
The Path Forward
The report noted that the current plan lacks specific kilowatt-hour estimates for standby power and does not define the fuel types being considered (The Gap); therefore, we are calling for a quantitative breakdown of these energy needs and a commitment to greenhouse gas reduction that lasts through the entire operational life of the facility (The Solution). This ensures that as the site operates for decades, our local environment remains protected by measurable benchmarks rather than vague promises.
Why It Matters Here
For those of us who live in Borups Corners or Dyment, “site preparation” means heavy machinery and land clearing in our quiet backyard. If the Nuclear Waste Management Organization only focuses on emissions during the first few years, we lose sight of the long-term impact on our hunting grounds and the silence of the boreal forest. We need to know that “best practices” are not just words, but measurable goals we can hold them to as neighbors.
Have Your Say
This affects our future. Submit your feedback on this specific issue via our Engage page to ensure the Impact Assessment Agency hears from our community.
The Melgund Integrated Nuclear Impact Assessment Project
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) is reviewing the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO) proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR) at the Revell Site, located near Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation in Northwestern Ontario.
This major nuclear infrastructure project is undergoing a joint federal review by the IAAC and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to evaluate environmental, health, social, and Indigenous rights impacts over its projected 160-year lifecycle.
Public Feedback Open: Comments on the Initial Project Description are accepted until February 4, 2026. Submissions help shape the formal impact assessment guidelines.
This short article and summary is based on an initial analysis of a proponent’s initial project description. It does not represent, any community the NWMO or the Government of Canada. Learn more at the Melgund Integrated Nuclear Impact Assessment Project project page.
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