Ontario Power Generation's amended DGR agreement has been accepted by Kincardine.
Fred Kuntz was part of the delegation to explain the amended agreement and says he feels the community wants to get the DGR built.
"The amendment, the purpose was to release the monies, and the monies were held because milestones were missed, because the approvals process is longer than anticipated. But it's still on track, the DGR project is still proceeding, and we're confident that it's still the best and lasting solution, it's the right thing to do," he says. "So we thought it was appropriate to release some of the monies to the municipalities to show good faith and appreciate their support."
Kuntz says the funds now being released can be used by the municipalities to address whatever pressing needs locally that they see fit.
"It's very much up to the communities, OPG does not have a say. It's a payment to the communities and typically in the past, they've used it for capital projects, infrastructure, water and sewage," he says. "Really just whatever the community deems is their priority."
Kincardine Mayor Anne Eadie says the agreement, which opens 50% of the funds promised to Kincardine and neighboring municipalities, is a positive.
"It's very good for us, I think a double win for us," she says. "A win in getting the payments released, 50%, and it continues. It's for 2018 and 2019, etc., it's not just the past 2015, 16 and 17."
Eadie says Kincardine supports the deep geologic repository for low and intermediate level nuclear waste.
"We think it's a safe solution, and it's been verified by scientists and the joint review panel," she says. "Unfortunately, the democratic process, and a thorough process, it takes time."
