Nearly 90% of New Brunswick residents believe it is important to recycle nuclear waste stored at the Point Lepreau site so it can be used to generate clean energy, according to a new study by Narrative Research.
Saint John, New Brunswick (Tuesday, April 27, 2021) – A new study commissioned by Moltex Energy and conducted by Narrative Research shows strong public support for nuclear waste recycling in New Brunswick, Canada.
“The results show the public’s interest in reducing the nuclear waste in New Brunswick and their preference to use this waste to generate more clean energy,” said Rory O’Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, North America, Moltex Energy.
Moltex’s reactor technology is specifically designed to use recycled nuclear waste to produce low-cost, carbon-free electricity. Moltex is currently the only company with the patented technology and a plan to recycle Canada’s waste.
“The Government of New Brunswick is encouraged by the broad public support for nuclear waste recycling in the province, as well as the progress Moltex is making in the design of technology to accomplish this goal,” said Hon. Mike Holland, Minister of Resources and Energy Development. “The benefits of waste recycling in New Brunswick are diverse and far-reaching, and the government is proud to support research and development in this area.”
Specifically, according to the study:
- 87% of residents believe it is either critically important (55%) or important but not critical (32%) to recycle nuclear waste stored at the Point Lepreau site so it can be used to generate clean energy.
- 84% of residents believe it is either critically important (43%) or important but not critical (41%) to reduce the volume of nuclear waste stored at the Point Lepreau site.
- 81% of residents believe the best way to deal with the nuclear waste stored at the Point Lepreau site is to recycle it so it can be used to generate clean energy.
Since 2018 when Moltex was selected by NB Power and the Government of New Brunswick to advance its waste-burning reactor technology for possible siting at Point Lepreau, Moltex has been focused on engaging with the public and making them aware of the numerous environmental and economic benefits its technology offers.
In addition to clean energy and nuclear waste minimization, Moltex’s technology will create hundreds of long-term, high-quality jobs, and contribute towards a significant increase in GDP and tax revenues.
While Moltex’s technology can reduce the volume and activity of nuclear waste, there is still a need for a Deep Geological Repository, as per Canada’s plan, adopted in 2007 and managed by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.
The study used probability telephone surveys to collect data from 400 adults in New Brunswick from February 11-24, 2021. The overall results are accurate to within ±4.9%, 19 times out of 20.
The full study results can be found here.
Media contact:
Erin Polka
Director of Communications
Moltex Energy
erinpolka@moltexenergy.com
About Moltex:
Moltex is a privately held company striving to solve the world’s most critical challenge: providing sufficient clean, reliable and affordable energy. In collaboration with innovators and energy experts, the company is developing a small modular reactor that will help keep fossil fuels in the ground. Moltex was selected by NB Power and the Government of New Brunswick to progress development of its reactor technology in New Brunswick, Canada, with the aim of deploying its first reactor at the Point Lepreau site by the early 2030s.
