News Releases

CNSC Announces Decision to Issue a Waste Nuclear Substance Licence for the Long-Term Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Project in Port Hope, Ontario

09-23

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2009

Following a one day public hearing, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced today its decision to issue to Atomic Energy Canada Limited (AECL) a Waste Nuclear Substance Licence for the Long-Term Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management (LTWM) Project in Port Hope, Ontario.The licence will be valid from the effective date of the land transfer of the Welcome Waste Management Facility (WWMF) property as set out in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale between Her Majesty, the Queen In Right Of Canada and Cameco Corporation and Canada Eldor Inc., until December 31, 2014.

The Commission, in making its decision, considered information presented for a public hearing held on August 26 and 27, 2009 in Port Hope, Ontario.During the public hearing, the Commission received and considered CNSC staff’s recommendations and submissions from AECL and 99 intervenors.

The Commission is satisfied that AECL meets the requirements of section 24 of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. The Commission concludes that AECL is qualified to carry out the activities that will be permitted under the licence, and that it will make adequate provision for the protection of the environment, the health and safety of persons, and the maintenance of national security and measures required to implement international obligations to which Canada has agreed.

With this decision, the Commission requests that AECL present, in approximately three years or sooner, in a status report or as part of an application for a licence amendment, all the documentation required before the start of Phase 2 of the project.The status report or application for licence amendment will be presented at a public proceeding of the Commission.The Commission also expects AECL to apply for a licence amendment, as necessary, as soon as practicable after the new water treatment system is implemented and operational, so that the list of the contaminants and related release limits included in the licence is updated.

The Record of Proceedings, including Reasons for Decision,is available upon request to the Commission Secretariat. It will be available, in both official languages, on the CNSC Web site at a later date. Transcripts of the hearing are available on the CNSC Web site at www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca, or by contacting the CNSC. The webcast of the hearing is archived on the same site for a period of 90 days.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment; and to respect Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Contact:
Sophie Gingras
Commission Secretariat 
613-947-0247
1-800-668-5284 
interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca