Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission: Joint Review Panels Bruce Power New Nuclear Power Plant Project and Ontario Power Generation Deep Geologic Repository Project Kincardine, Ontario May 27, 2008
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission: Joint Review Panels Public Info-Session Agenda 7:00 p.m.: Open House 7:30 p.m.: Presentation 8:00 p.m.: Questions & Answers
Presentation Overview Project descriptions Role of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) Role of Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Joint Review Panel Process Documents out for public review Next steps 3
Bruce Power New Nuclear Power Plant Project - Background August 2006 CNSC received a licence application from Bruce Power Inc. up to four new nuclear reactors to be located at the existing Bruce Nuclear Site eastern shore of Lake Huron expected to generate approximately 4,000 megawatts (MWe) of electricity 4
Bruce Power New Nuclear Power Plant Project 5
OPG Deep Geologic Repository Project - Background December 2005 CNSC received a licence application from Ontario Power Generation a deep-geologic disposal facility to manage low and intermediate-level radioactive waste to be located at the Bruce Nuclear Site waste would consist of industrial items and used nuclear components (but not used fuel) 6
Deep Geologic Repository Project on existing Bruce Nuclear Site 7
The CNSC The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and material to protect health, safety, security, and the environment and to respect Canada s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy 8
Areas Regulated by CNSC 9
Nuclear Facilities Legislation CNSC operates and enforces regulation under: Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) CNSC must adhere to other Acts of Parliament: Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) 10
Licensing under the NSCA Bruce Power and the DGR Projects = Class I nuclear facilities Generally, separate licence required for each phase of nuclear facility lifecycle: site preparation construction operation decommissioning abandonment 11
Licensing under the NSCA No licensing decision can be made unless an Environmental Assessment (EA) is conducted EA carried out to meet the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act Only one EA required for all phases of a nuclear facility 12
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Role is to provide Canadians with high-quality Environmental Assessments (EAs) Administers the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act Accountable to the Minister of the Environment 13
Environmental Assessments EA is a process to predict the environmental effects of proposed initiatives before they are carried out Minimize or avoid adverse environmental effects before they occur Incorporate environmental factors into decision making 14
Environmental Assessments Four types of EAs: screenings, comprehensive studies, review panels, mediation Review panels: greatest opportunity for public participation encourage open discussion and exchange of views 15
Review Panels Projects may be referred to a review panel: When they have the potential to result in significant adverse environmental effects, or Where public concerns warrant Panel members selected on the basis of their knowledge and expertise Panels hold Public Hearings Prepares EA report - summarizing the panel s findings and recommendations 16
Proposed Joint Review Panel (JRP) Process Minister of the Environment referred both projects to review panels in June 2007 JRP will conduct the EA and make the licence application Reduces duplication Separate JRP s for each of the projects A public hearing for each project Public registry maintained for each project 17
DRAFT JRP Agreement One of two key documents out for public comment ends June 18 Agreement describes: panel membership scope of the project and scope of the assessment terms of reference for the review panel final report 18
Proposed Panel Membership Three member panel Two members from the CNSC One member appointed by federal Minister of Environment Panel conducts the EA under CEAA and decides on the licence application under the NSCA 19
Draft EIS Guidelines Second of two key documents out for public comment ends June 18 Outlines information required in the EIS: existing environment project description environmental effects potential malfunctions and accidents alternatives References information required for the JRP to consider the licence application of each project 20
Process to Review Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) Panel determines if EIS conforms to EIS Guidelines Public will have six months to review EIS for Bruce Power Project Public will have three months to review the EIS for the DGR Project Length of time for public review will be longer if proponents require additional time to respond to JRP information requests 21
JRP Report JRP will submit a report to Government Government response to panel report brought forward to Governor in Council for approval JRP will make a licensing decision unless the EA concludes that the project results in significant adverse environmental effects that cannot be justified 22
Key Public Participation Opportunities Draft JRP Agreements until June 18 Draft EIS Guidelines until June 18 Review of EIS: Bruce Power Project: ~Aug. Feb. 09 DGR Project: ~ May Aug. 2011 Local Public Hearings: exchange of views on EIS and licensing information 23
Next Steps Please review and provide written comments by June 18 on: Draft EIS Guidelines Draft JRP Agreements EIS Guidelines and JRP Agreements expected to be finalized by July 18, 2008 24
Other Timelines Bruce Power Project Phase II-Participant Funding: Early Aug. 08 Appointment of Panel: ~ Late Aug. 08 Proponent submits EIS:~ Late Aug. 08 Public review of EIS: ~ Aug. 08 Feb. 09 Participation in Public Hearings: ~ April 09 EA and Licensing Decisions: TBD 25
Other Timelines DGR Project Phase II-Participant Funding:~ Jan. 2011 Appointment of Panel: ~ Jan. 2011 Proponent submits EIS:~ April 2011 Public review of EIS: ~ May Aug. 2011 Participation in Public Hearings:~ Jan. 2012 EA and Licensing Decisions: TBD 26
Contact Information Tel: 1 866 582-1884 Bruce.Review@ceaa-acee.gc.ca DGR.Review@ceaa-acee.gc.ca www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca 27