News Releases

CNSC Issues a Site Preparation Licence for OPG Darlington Nuclear Power Plant Project

12-15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2012

The Joint Review Panel (JRP) of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced today its decision to issue a Nuclear Power Reactor Site Preparation Licence to Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG) for its new nuclear power plant project at the Darlington nuclear site for a period of 10 years. The licence will be valid from August 17, 2012 to August 17, 2022.

In making its decision, the JRP considered information presented at the 17-day public hearing held March 21 to April 8, 2011, in Courtice, Ontario. During this hearing, the JRP received and considered submissions from OPG and 264 intervenors, as well as 14 government departments, including the CNSC.

Mr. Alan Graham, Chair of the JRP, stated: “This decision is an important milestone in Canada’s nuclear history. It has been reached in an open and transparent manner with the input of hundreds of citizens, whose thoughts and arguments inspired and challenged us to make the best possible decision.”

The JRP is satisfied that the licensee meets the requirements of section 24 of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, that OPG is qualified to carry out the activities that will be permitted under the licence, and that the health and safety of people and the environment will be protected.  

The JRP was established in 2009 to consider the environmental assessment and the licence application to prepare a site for the proposed Darlington project. In August 2011, the JRP submitted its environmental assessment report to the Government of Canada, concluding that the project was not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, taking into consideration the implementation of proposed mitigation measures. In May 2012, the Government agreed with the JRP’s recommendation, and authorized the project to proceed to licensing to prepare a site. This marked the end of the first step in the multiphase CNSC licensing process that is required for any new nuclear power project in Canada.

The JRP has directed OPG to prepare a mid-term report on the conduct of the licensed activities and the implementation status of commitments made during the environmental assessment. CNSC staff is to prepare a report on the results of compliance activities carried out during the first half of the licence term, and on OPG's performance during that period. CNSC staff will also present annual updates to the Commission Tribunal as a part of the annual CNSC Staff Integrated Safety Assessment of Canadian Nuclear Power Plants Report. All reports will be presented in a public forum.

This decision regarding the site preparation concludes the work of the Darlington Joint Review Panel. The next step in the regulatory process will be the CNSC licensing decision phase to construct a nuclear power plant, once OPG submits its application. The public will have an opportunity to comment on OPG’s application to construct, and application to operate, at public hearings to be scheduled in the future.

A Record of Proceedings, including Reasons for Decision, and transcripts of the hearing are available on the CNSC Web site at nuclearsafety.gc.ca, or by contacting the CNSC. The webcast of the hearing is also archived on the same site for a period of 90 days.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission 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