CNSC publishes requirements and guidance for site evaluation and site preparation for new reactor facilities

July 17, 2018 – Ottawa, ON           

Following a period of public consultation from August 17 to December 29, 2016, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has published REGDOC-1.1.1, Site Evaluation and Site Preparation for New Reactor Facilities. This new regulatory document sets out requirements and guidance for site evaluation and site preparation for new reactor facilities. It also includes a licence application guide to prepare a site for new reactor facilities.

This new regulatory document refers to both nuclear power plants and small reactor facilities as “reactor facilities”. Its content also addresses how site evaluation information obtained during site preparation activities is used and revisited in subsequent lifecycle phases of construction and operation.

This document expands the scope of previously published requirements and guidance to include small reactor facilities using a graded approach.

This document also incorporates lessons learned from the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear event, by requiring a site characterization to include robust measures such as:

• consideration of multiple and simultaneous severe external events

• multiple and simultaneous reactor accidents

• discussions around emergency planning and preparation for extreme events earlier in a project
  

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security 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.