One Initiative, Two Projects
The Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) is a community-based Government of Canada environmental project launched in 2001. Its mission is to lead the cost-effective and environmentally responsible cleanup and long-term management of historic low-level radioactive wastes in Port Hope and Port Granby. Working with local communities, the vision is to fulfill Canada’s commitment to the cleanup of historic waste to leave an honourable legacy for future generations. The PHAI has two projects: the Port Hope Project in the Municipality of Port Hope and the Port Granby Project in the Municipality of Clarington.
A legal agreement, finalized in March 2001, between the Municipality of Port Hope, the Municipality of Clarington and the Government of Canada, launched the PHAI by defining the framework and setting out the responsibilities for the Port Hope Project and the Port Granby Project.
From 2001 to 2008, the projects were managed by the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Office (LLRWMO). In 2009, the Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office (PHAI MO) was created as the federal agency to carry out the Port Hope and Port Granby Projects. The PHAI MO is a partnership of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).
Years of detailed studies, review and government approvals have brought the PHAI to the point it is today. Construction of long-term waste management facilities in Port Hope and Port Granby began in 2012. These facilities, including an engineered, aboveground mound to be built at each project site, are designed to manage the waste safely for hundreds of years. The cleanup of the existing historic low-level radioactive waste is scheduled to begin in 2015.
The Port Hope Project involves the cleanup of approximately 1.2 million cubic metres of historic low-level radioactive waste in various locations throughout the community. An engineered, aboveground mound for the safe long-term management of the waste is being constructed on the site of the current Welcome Waste Management Facility south of Highway 401 and west of Baulch Road in the Municipality of Port Hope. The project also provides for long-term maintenance and monitoring.The facility is being designed to manage a capacity of approximately 2 million cubic meters of waste (including contingencies and daily clean soil cover materials) from within the Municipality of Port Hope. The facility is being built at the site of an existing, closed, low-level radioactive waste management facility and adjacent property. Existing waste at this site will be excavated and placed in the new facility. The Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office (PHAI MO), which includes Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (lead agency/license holder), Public Works and Government Services Canada (major contracts) and Natural Resources Canada (sponsor/founder), is undertaking the Port Hope Project.
The Port Granby Project involves the relocation of approximately 450,000 cubic metres of historic low-level radioactive waste from an existing site on the shoreline of Lake Ontario in the Municipality of Clarington to a new engineered aboveground mound facility to be built 700 metres north, away from the lake, where the waste will be safely managed and monitored for hundreds of years. The Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office (PHAI MO), which includes Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (lead agency/license holder), Public Works and Government Services Canada (major contracts) and Natural Resources Canada (sponsor/founder), is undertaking the Port Hope Project.
Our Mission
Our mission is to lead the cleanup of historic wastes in Port Hope and Port Granby in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.
Our Vision
Working together with local communities, our vision is to fulfill Canada’s commitment to the cleanup of historic wastes in Port Hope and Port Granby and leave an honourable legacy for future generations.
Privacy Statement
The Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) is committed to protecting your rights to privacy. We have adopted and implemented this privacy statement (“Privacy Policy”) as part of our commitment to protecting your personal information.
PHAI Social media terms of use and user agreement
The following User Agreement (“Agreement”) governs the use of official Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office (PHAI MO) social media sites and pages to include social networking pages, web blogs and file sharing sites, along with all policies applicable to the PHAI MO.