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Ontario Power Generation's Deep Geologic Repository

The Impact Assessment Act (IAA) came into force August 28, 2019. Ongoing projects with environmental assessments initiated under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) and led by the CNSC, will continue under their current processes. The IAA contains provisions to enable these projects to advance in this way.

Location: Tiverton, (Municipality of Kincardine) ON

In May 2020, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) formally withdrew its application to the CNSC for a licence to prepare a site for and construct its Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste at the Bruce nuclear site. No further work will proceed on the project.

The CNSC will apply its research and the lessons learned from the work completed to date on the OPG DGR project to any future applications for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal.

Latest news

Note: The following are highlights only. For a complete list of documents related to the joint review panel for this project, please consult the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s Registry, reference number 06-05-17520.

2020

Resources

Environmental assessment and site preparation

Project milestone Responsibility and status Date Comment
CNSC and other federal authorities Applicant
Ontario Power Generation submits a letter regarding changes to federal legislation and implications for the Deep Geologic Repository for Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste Project Completed by Ontario Power Generation (OPG)

August

2019

OPG submits a letter of intent to apply for a licence to prepare site and construct with a DGR project description (PDF)

Read application for licence to prepare site and construct (August 2007) (PDF)

Completed by Ontario Power Generation (OPG)

December

2005

Notice of environmental assessment (EA) posted

Completed by

CNSC

January

2006

Federal Minister of Environment refers EA to a joint review panel (JRP)

Completed by

the Minister of Environment

June

2007

Draft environmental impact statement (EIS) guidelines and JRP agreement published for comments

Completed by

the CNSC/CEAA

April

2008

Comment period on draft environmental impact statement guidelines and JRP agreement Completed by the CNSC

April to

June

2008

Opportunity for the public, Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders to review and provide comments.

Public comments on Draft EIS for OPG's DGR Project

Final EIS guidelines and JRP agreement published – January 26, 2009 Completed by the CNSC/CEAA January 2009 Finalized by the federal Minister of the Environment, in consultation with the President of CNSC, based on comments received.
Major Projects Management Office (MPMO) project agreement signed (source: CEAA) Completed by MPMO May 2009 An MPMO Project Agreement (source: CEAA) is an agreement between federal Deputy Ministers that outlines the process by which federal departments or agencies will carry out their particular roles or responsibilities during the federal regulatory review of a proposed major resource project. The agreement includes a timeline and schedule for the completion of the regulatory review with regular milestones to allow tracking of progress.

OPG submits to JRP:

CNSC acknowledges receipt of EIS and licence documentation from OPG (PDF)

Completed by

OPG

April

2011

Appointment of JRP Completed by the Minister of Environment and the Governor in Council January 24, 2012 Appointed by the Minister of the Environment and the Governor in Council, in consultation with the President of the CNSC.
Panel Orientation session and comment Period on environmental impact statement and licence application for Deep Geologic Repository Project (source: CEAA) Completed by JRP February 3, 2012

Transcript of Joint Review Panel Orientation Session (PDF)

For a complete list of documents related to the joint review panel for this project, please consult the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, reference number 06-05-17520.

Review of EIS, including public review announced

Completed by

JRP

February 3, 2012

Preliminary instructions for the public review and comment period

Review period led by JRP, including conformity and technical review of the EIS by JRP, public, Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders, and opportunities for public comments. (six months, not inclusive of time used by applicant to respond to JRP requests)

Information request 1: JRP letter of request for additional information (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

JRP

March 8, 2012 EIS and complete application for a licence to prepare a site, submitted by Ontario Power Generation in April 2011
Ontario Power Generation responds in January to the JRP information request 1 of December 2009. (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

March 19, 2012 Ontario Power Generation responds to JRP's Information Request 1

Information request #2

JRP requests additional information from Ontario Power Generation (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

JRP

May 2, 2012 JRP sends a letter to Ontario Power Generation requesting for additional information concerning the EIS and complete application for a licence to prepare a site, submitted by Ontario Power Generation in April 2011

Ontario Power Generation responds to the JRP information Request #2 of May 2012. (PDF) (source: CEAA)

May 9, 2012 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

June 1, 2012 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

May 14, 2012

June 1, 2012

Ontario Power Generation responds to JRP's information request 2

Information Request 3:

JRP letter of request for additional information (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

JRP

May 25, 2012 JRP sends a letter to Ontario Power Generation requesting for additional information concerning the EIS and complete application for a licence to prepare a site, submitted by Ontario Power Generation in April 2011
Submission by Ontario Power Generation of supplementary material for the JRP information package #1 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

July 10, 2012 Submission by OPG of Supplementary material for the joint reviewpPanel information package #1
Ontario Power Generation responds in July to the JRP information request package #3 of June 2012. (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

July 9, 2012 Ontario Power Generation responds to JRP's information request 3
Technical information session – Deep Geologic Repository Project for Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste (PDF) (source CEAA)

Completed by

JRP

July 18, 2012

July 18, 2012 presentation by OPG(PDF) (source: CEAA)

July 18 2012 presentation by CNSC(PDF) (source: CEAA)

July 18, 2012 webcast (source: CNSC)

Transcript of the technical information session regarding the proposed design, construction and operational details of the DGR Project (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Information request 4: JRP letter of request for additional information (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

JRP

July 23, 2012 JRP sends a letter to Ontario Power Generation requesting for additional information concerning the EIS and complete application for a licence to prepare a site, submitted by Ontario Power Generation in April 2011
Public notice: Timelines established and joint panel agreement amended under CEAA 2012 (source: CEAA)

Completed by

the Minister of Environment and President of the CNSC

August 3, 2012

View amendments to the joint review panel's mandate made as a result of the coming into force on July 6, 2012, of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012(CEAA 2012).

View final EIS guidelines and JRP agreement published – January 26, 2009

Ontario Power Generation responds to JRP information request package #4 of July 2012 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

August 27, 2012 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

September 6, 2012 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

September 28, 2012 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

August 27, 2012

September 6, 2012

September 28, 2012

Ontario Power Generation responds to JRP's Information request 4, concerning the EIS and complete application for a licence to prepare a site, submitted by Ontario Power Generation in April 2011
Public notice – Modelling Technical Information Session for the Deep Geologic Repository Project to be held on October 11, 2012 (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

JRP

September 10, 2012
Information request 5: JRP letter of request for additional information (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

JRP

September 12 , 2012 JRP sends a letter to Ontario Power Generation requesting for additional information concerning the EIS and complete application for a licence to prepare a site, submitted by Ontario Power Generation in April 2011
Modelling Technical Information Session – Deep Geologic Repository Project for Low and Intermediate Waste Completed by JRP October 11, 2012

Presentation by OPG (PDF)

October 11, 2012 Webcast                   

Transcript of Deep Geologic Repository Project for Low and Intermediate level Radioactive Waste Modelling Technical Information Session (PDF)

Information request 6: JRP letter of request for additional information (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

JRP

October 16, 2012 EIS and complete application for a licence to prepare a site, submitted by Ontario Power Generation in April 2011

Ontario Power Generation responds to JRP information request package #5 of September 2012

October 24, 2012 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

November 7, 2012 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

October 24, 2012

November 7, 2012

Ontario Power Generation responds to JRP information request package #6 of October 2012

October 31, 2012 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

November 29, 2012 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

December 12, 2012 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

October 31, 2012

November 29, 2012

December 12, 2012

Information request 7: JRP letter of request for additional information (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

JRP

November 1, 2012 EIS and complete application for a Licence to Prepare a site, submitted by Ontario Power Generation in April 2011

Submission by Ontario Power Generation of supplementary material for the JRP information package #5 (PDF) – October 24, 2012 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

November 5 2012
OPG's response to joint review panel information request package #7 (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

December 20, 2012 
Information request package #8 from the Deep Geologic Repository joint review panel (PDF) (Source: CEAA) Completed by JRP December 20, 2012  EIS and complete application for a licence to prepare a site, submitted by Ontario Power Generation in April 2011
Information request package #9 from the Deep Geologic Repository joint review panel (PDF) (source: CEAA) Completed by JRP February 8, 2013 EIS and complete application for a licence to prepare a site, submitted by Ontario Power Generation in April 2011
Public notice – Socio-economic technical information session on the environmental impact statement and licence application for Deep Geologic Repository Project (Source: CEAA) Completed by JRP February 12, 2013

OPG responds to JRP information request package #8 of December 2012

February 14, 2013 (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

February 28, 2013 (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

March 15, 2013 (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

February 14, 2013

February 28, 2013

March 15, 2013

Information request package #10 from the Deep Geologic Repository joint review panel (PDF) (Source: CEAA) Completed by JRP March 6, 2013 EIS and complete application for a licence to prepare a site, submitted by Ontario Power Generation in April 2011
Socio-economic technical information session on the environmental impact statement and licence application for Deep Geologic Repository Project (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

JRP

March 20, 2013

March 20, 2013 written submission by OPG (PDF) (source: CEAA)

March 20, 2013 presentation by OPG (PDF) (source: CEAA)

March 20, 2013 webcast (Source: CNSC)

Transcript of the socio-economic technical information session for the DGR Project (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

OPG responds to joint review panel information request package #9 of February 2013

March 28, 2013 (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

April 15, 2013 (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

March 28, 2013

April 15, 2013

News release: End of comment period Completed by JRP April 25, 2013 Deadline set of May 24, 2013 to receive final public comments on OPG's environmental impact statement and licence application for the DGR project
OPG's response to joint review panel information request package #10 – subset #1 (PDF) (Source: CEAA) Completed by JRP April 30, 2013
OPG's response to joint review panel information request package #10 – subset #2 (PDF) (Source CEAA) Completed by JRP May 10, 2013
Information request package #11 from the Deep Geologic Repository joint review panel (PDF) (Source: CEAA) Completed by JRP May 29, 2013 EIS and complete application for a licence to prepare a site, submitted by Ontario Power Generation in April 2011
OPG's response to joint review panel information request package #11 (PDF) (Source: CEAA) Completed by JRP June 6, 2013
Notice of public hearings posted Completed by JRP June 18, 2013 The Panel has determined that the environmental impact statement and the documents in support of the application for a licence to prepare a site and construct, along with additional information supplied by Ontario Power Generation, is sufficient to proceed to a public hearing.
JRP holds public hearings Completed by JRP September 16 to October 11 2013 To hear views about the EIS and the application for a licence to prepare site and construct from the public, Aboriginal groups, OPG and other stakeholders.
JRP extends public hearing Completed by JRP October 28 to 30, 2013 To address the session on licensing, permits and authorizations for a licence to prepare a site and construct.
Information request package #12 from the Deep Geologic Repository JRP (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

JRP

November 8, 2013
OPG's response to the joint review panel's information request Package #12 – EIS-12-512 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

January 22, 2014
OPG's response to the JRPS's information request package #12 – EIS-12-511 (PDF) (source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

January 30, 2014
Information request package #12a from the Deep Geologic Repository JRP (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

February 4, 2014
Information request package #13 from the Deep Geologic Repository JRP (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

March 25, 2014
OPG's response to the JRP's information request package #12 – EIS-12-510 (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

March 28, 2014
OPG's response to the JRP's information request #12a – EIS-12a-512 (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

April 4, 2014
OPG's response to the JRP's information request #12 – EIS-12-513 (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

April 4, 2014
Information request package #12b from the Deep Geologic Repository joint review panel (PDF) (Source CEAA) Completed by JRP April 15, 2014
OPG's response to JRP's information request #13 (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

May 9, 2014
OPG's clarification comments on relative risk of community acceptance in information request EIS-12-513 (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

May 9, 2014
CNSC staff response to the JRP's information request package #13-EIS-515 (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

CNSC

May 9, 2014
OPG’s response to the JRP’s information request package 12b (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

Completed by

OPG

May 30, 2014
JRP issues public hearing schedule Completed by JRP August 26, 2014 To hear views in relation to the subject of the information requests issued by the panel since November 2013.
Notice of public hearings Completed by JRP June 3, 2014

The joint review panel for the Deep Geologic Repository Project for Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste (DGR) has scheduled additional public hearing days.

Amended public hearing procedures.

JRP resumes public hearings Completed by JRP September 9-18, 2014

To hear views in relation to the subject of the information requests issued by the Panel since November 2013.

Webcasts and Transcripts of the Public Hearings - September 9 to 18, 2014 webcasts

Joint review panel announces deadlines for closing remarks from hearing participants Completed by JRP September 19, 2014 The JRP provided instructions that registered hearing participants will have 20 days to submit written closing remarks (Procedure for closing remarks by proponent and registered hearing participants) (Source: CEAA).
Joint review panel announces that the panel has closed the record for the project’s environmental assessment (Source: CEAA) Completed by JRP November 19, 2014 The JRP gave notice that the panel has closed the record for the project’s environmental assessment. Effective immediately, no additional comments or information will be accepted by the Panel.

JRP submits the environmental assessment report to the federal Minister of the Environment

(Source: CEAA)

JRP news release

(Source: CEAA)

Completed by JRP May 6, 2015
Minister of the Environment's decision on the environmental assessment Expected from the federal Minister of the Environment February 18, 2016

Public Notice Deep Geologic Repository Project — Ministerial Request for Additional Information

JRP issues licence to prepare site and construct Expected from the JRP TBD If the Minister of the Environment's decision is that the project may proceed, the JRP could issue Licence to prepare site and construct.

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