Proposed nuclear facility – NB Power’s ARC-100 Project at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station site
New Brunswick Power (NB Power) – in partnership with ARC Clean Technology Canada – is proceeding with work to deploy a small modular reactor (SMR). Planning and project development are underway to deploy one ARC-100 reactor at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station site.
The project requires a provincial environmental impact assessment (EIA) to be conducted under the Government of New Brunswick’s comprehensive EIA review process, with technical support from the CNSC. The provincial EIA registration is being planned to coincide with NB’s application for the licence to prepare site.
On December 22, 2022, the Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change responded to a designation request for the project and concluded that the project did not warrant designation pursuant to subsection 9(1) of the Impact Assessment Act. The proposal will undergo a comprehensive EIA by the Government of New Brunswick and an environmental protection review by the CNSC, under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. In June 2023, NB Power applied for a licence to prepare site to construct one ARC-100 reactor at the Point Lepreau nuclear generating site.

Artistic rendering of an ARC-100 plant
Source: New Nuclear - World Nuclear News (world-nuclear-news.org)
Location: | Point Lepreau, Maces Bay, New Brunswick |
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Licensee: | NB Power |
Reactor type: | ARC-100 small modular reactor |
Owner: | NB Power |
Number of units: | 1 |
Installed capacity: | 0 |
Status: | Application for a licence to prepare site submitted to the CNSC on June 30, 2023 (currently under CNSC review) |
Licensing documentation: | NB Power’s application for a licence to prepare site (PDF, 6.4 MB) (external site) For any questions, please contact cnsc.info.ccsn@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca. |
Facility website: | Advanced small modular reactors |
Latest news
Commission proceedings
The Commission is an independent administrative tribunal set up at arm's length from government, without ties to the nuclear industry.
There are currently no Commission proceedings associated with this project. Once a hearing date is scheduled, a notice of hearing will be posted on the following web page: Browse hearing documents by date – Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Regulatory actions
The CNSC posts regulatory enforcement actions taken to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment. Use the links below to find out more about any orders or penalties that have been placed on this licensee.
- No recent regulatory actions
Disclosure
Licensees must report events and incidents involving licensed activities that could impact the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment to the CNSC. Use the links below to find any information provided by this licensee, as well as other public disclosures made by licensees.
- No recent disclosures
Small modular reactors
Licence application
- June 2023: Application for a licence to prepare site submitted to the CNSC (PDF, 6.4 MB) (external site)
Protecting Canadians and the environment
Environment
The CNSC uses information provided by licensees to create its own reports assessing the environmental effects of nuclear facilities or licensed activities.
- Environmental monitoring: Independent environmental monitoring results collected by the CNSC
- Environmental risk assessment: Email cnsc.info.ccsn@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca to request a copy
- Federal, provincial and municipal monitoring programs: List of monitoring programs managed by other levels of government
- Radionuclide releases: Nuclear power plants dataset in the Open Government catalogue for information on releases from this facility
Health and safety
The CNSC oversees licensee emergency planning and works with other levels of government to ensure the health and safety of Canadians. It also conducts and reviews health studies on various areas associated with the production, possession or use of nuclear substances.
- CNSC health studies on Canadian nuclear facilities: Relevant health studies of CNSC-regulated nuclear reactors
Related links
- July 2023: NB Power–CNSC Staff Protocol on the Application for a Licence to Prepare a Site for an ARC 100 Reactor
- April 17, 2023: Agreement signed with Saskatchewan on development of small modular reactors (gnb.ca)
- December 22, 2022: Small nuclear reactor project won't need extra assessment, Ottawa says | CBC News
- June 9, 2022: ARC and hatch announce teaming agreement to deploy advanced clean energy technology
- March 29, 2022: Provinces release strategic plan on small modular reactors (gnb.ca)
- April 14, 2021: Alta., Ont., Sask. and NB sign agreement to explore small nuclear reactors | CBC News
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