OTTAWA, Januray 26, 2009 - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) issued two documents today – the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines and the Joint Review Panel (JRP) Agreement – related to Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) proposed Deep Geologic Repository project, located in the Municipality of Kincardine, Ontario.
The EIS Guidelines identify the information needed for OPG to prepare the EIS which will provide a detailed analysis of the potential environmental effects of the proposed project. The EIS Guidelines also list the requirements for a licence to prepare the site and construct the Deep Geologic Repository.
The JRP Agreement establishes how the panel will function and the terms of reference for conducting the environmental assessment, and for considering the licence application to prepare a site and construct a facility.
The draft EIS Guidelines and the draft JRP Agreement were subject to public consultation from April 4 to June 18, 2008, and were amended following consideration of the comments received.
The final Guidelines and Agreement, along with more information on this project, are available at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca , registry number 06-05-17520 and at www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca. The two documents are also available from the contact mentioned below:
Deep Geologic Repository Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, Place Bell Canada
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 1-866-582-1884
E-mail: DGR.Review@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
The next steps will include the appointment of JRP members, the submission of OPG's EIS for the Deep Geologic Repository and licensing documentation to the JRP, and a public consultation on the EIS.
The project is a proposal by OPG to prepare a site, construct and operate a deep-geologic disposal facility on the Bruce Nuclear Site, within the Municipality of Kincardine. The Deep Geologic Repository would be designed to manage low and intermediate level radioactive wastes, produced from the continued operations of the nuclear generating stations at Bruce, Pickering and Darlington, Ontario. Low level waste consists of industrial items that have become contaminated with low levels of radioactivity during routine clean-up and maintenance activities at nuclear generating stations. Intermediate level radioactive waste consists primarily of used nuclear reactor components such as the ion-exchange resins and filters used to purify reactor water systems.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects, and the measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.
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.
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For more information, media may contact:
Lucille Jamault
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0434
Aurèle Gervais
Media and Community Relations
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Tel.: 613-996-6860
