CNSC invites comments on draft REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Environmental Policy, Assessments and Protection Measures

News Release

November 30, 2015

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is asking the public to provide comments on draft REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Environmental Policy, Assessments and Protection Measures.

The previous draft REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Environmental Assessments provided an initial description of the CNSC’s process for conducting environmental assessments (EAs), either under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) or the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012).

Following consultation, the initial draft was revised to take into account the comments received and the feedback on the comments. The revisions were quite extensive, and it was decided that the document would be posted for an additional round of public consultation as REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Environmental Policy, Assessments and Protection Measures.

When consultation is complete, the published document will supersede P-223, Protection of the Environment and REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protections: Policies, Programs and Procedures. Once published, REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Environmental Policy, Assessments and Protection Measures will provide all environmental policy, assessments and protection measures in a single environmental protection regulatory document.

New to consultation is an impact statement specific to this document, which outlines the regulatory objectives and approach, as well as the estimated impacts on stakeholders. The public is asked to provide clear and specific feedback to help CNSC staff refine, or revisit, initial assumptions and objectives.

To review and comment on the document and impact statement, visit the REGDOC-2.9.1 webpage. Please submit your feedback by March 29, 2016. The comments submitted, including names and affiliations, will be made public.

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment; to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public.

Quick facts

• The CNSC requires the environmental effects of all nuclear facilities or activities to be considered and evaluated when licensing decisions are made.
• Every applicant or licensee must have an environmental risk assessment, commensurate with the scale and complexity of the environmental risks associated with the nuclear facility or activity.
• An environmental assessment (EA) under the NSCA is carried out as part of the CNSC’s review of all licence applications.
• In addition to regulatory requirements under the NSCA for environmental protection, the CEAA 2012 applies for designated projects and for projects proposed to be carried out on federal lands, as defined in section 66 of CEAA 2012.
• In accordance with CEAA 2012, the CNSC is the sole federal responsible authority for conducting EAs for designated projects regulated under the NSCA and described in the Regulations Designating Physical Activities.
• The CNSC welcomes feedback at any time on regulatory documents.

Related products

• P-223, Protection of the Environment
• REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Policies, Programs and Procedures
• Draft REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Environmental Assessments

Contact:

Aurèle Gervais
Media and Community Relations
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
613-996-6860
1-800-668-5284
mediarelations@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

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