Digging Into the Emissions Data
Living here in Northwestern Ontario, we often hear that nuclear energy is a key part of a low-carbon future. As we look closer at the proposed Revell Site near Melgund Township, it is important to understand not just the radioactive safety, but the environmental footprint of the facility itself. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has released estimates on the Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) the project will produce, and for those of us in Borups Corners and Dyment, the details reveal some surprising reliance on old-school fuels.
What We Are Learning
The Impact Assessment documents state that the Deep Geological Repository is intended to support Canada’s net-zero goals by managing waste responsibly. However, building and running this facility will generate its own emissions. The NWMO estimates that during construction, the project will emit up to 14,480 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. During operations, this drops to about 10,834 tonnes annually. Interestingly, the report identifies that the vast majority of these emissions—between 88% and 95%—will come from a single source: the heating plant, which is currently planned to run on propane during construction and natural gas during operations.
The Reality Check
When we look at the promises versus the plans, a few things stand out that we need to verify.
- What is being promised: The project is framed as a critical component of a clean energy cycle that helps Canada achieve net-zero emissions.
- What we need to verify: The current plan relies heavily on burning fossil fuels (propane and natural gas) to heat the facility for decades. Furthermore, the assessment currently excludes “Scope 3” emissions—this means they haven’t counted the massive carbon footprint required to manufacture the steel and cement needed to build a fortress underground.
The Path Forward
To ensure this project truly aligns with the environmental values of Northwestern Ontario, we need to address specific gaps in the current plan.
The Gap: The assessment admits that nearly all operational emissions come from heating the buildings with fossil fuels. This contradicts the project’s “low-carbon” image.
The Solution: We are calling for an evaluation of alternative, low-carbon heating technologies. Given our geology, the proponent should investigate industrial heat pumps or geothermal systems rather than defaulting to propane or gas.
The Gap: The current numbers ignore the “embodied carbon” of the construction materials.
The Solution: The NWMO must expand their assessment to include Scope 3 emissions. We need to know the environmental cost of producing and transporting the millions of tonnes of concrete and steel required for the repository to get a true picture of the total carbon footprint.
Why It Matters Here
For residents in Melgund Township and surrounding areas, this isn’t just about global statistics; it’s about local air quality and honesty in advertising. If a project claims to be the solution to climate change, it shouldn’t be burning propane in our backyard when better alternatives exist. Furthermore, ignoring the carbon cost of the materials hides the true scale of the industrial activity required, which has implications for the volume of heavy transport traffic on Highway 17.
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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