Meeting Minutes: Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Advisory Committee to the Potassium Iodide (KI) Pill Working Group Meeting #1

During the relicensing for the OPG Pickering Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), many questions were raised regarding KI distribution in the Pickering area. Specifically, there was a focus with respect to the plans in place for distributing KI within the 50 km Ingestion Planning Zone (IPZ). The KI working group was developed to provide clarity on the current plans in place for KI distribution, and subsequently the Advisory Committee was developed to capture the views and concerns from various key groups.

The Record of Decision (ROD) from the hearing included specific direction to establish the KI working group to specifically address KI distribution in schools within the IPZ. The ROD was published on the CNSC website following the development of the draft Terms of Reference (TOR). The CNSC is looking to update the TOR to better reflect the ROD.

CELA has a history of participating in CNSC hearings. Initially, they were focused on the Bruce and Darlington refurbishment where they began looking at the emergency planning. They felt that emergency preparedness needed improvements and began looking at emergency preparedness and plans for all Canadian NPPs and Chalk River. Chernobyl was brought up as an example of an event that shed light on the distribution of KI prior to, during, and following an event. They believe CNSC must be in the driver seat for the adequacy of safety and KI is something that must be in place and needs to be better understood.

The TCDSB has 7 schools within the 10 km primary zone of the Pickering NPP in which KI is already issued. They also have additional schools within the IPZ. They play a role in emergency preparedness by sending letters to parents/guardians for authorization and education purposes on KI.

The Municipality of Kincardine works with Bruce Power for support in distributing KI. KI is currently distributed to local schools and residences within the 50 km zone of Bruce Power. From a public safety perspective, they want to make sure the public is confident with the plans in place.

Bruce Power has accountability for emergency preparedness, and emphasized that as an industry, we need to be very thoughtful on how we proceed with KI distribution. Bruce Power focussed on increasing public confidence with respect to KI by considering where they wanted it available, where it made sense, and ensuring the appropriate communication tools were used to demonstrate how it benefits the community.

Dr. Novog is a professor at McMaster University and a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Research Chair. He was also an advisory member to the recently updated Provincial Nuclear Emergency Response Plan (PNERP).

CELA inquired about including health units in the working group; CNSC explained that their input will be coordinated through the MOHLTC representatives, and Public Health Units will have representation on the working group. They also inquired about the Registered Nurse Association; CNSC indicated that input from this group could also be coordinated through public review periods.

CELA also inquired about extending an invite to more people for the Advisory Committee Workshop. CNSC was not opposed but wants to balance practicality and ensure that the workshop is focussed and can effectively collect inputs.

CNSC reiterated that the scope needs to be revised to better reflect the ROD. CELA asked whether the TOR will be updated to reflect the two-phased approach that was mentioned earlier in the meeting. CNSC indicated that they will discuss this with the working group on how this will be handled in the revised TOR. For now, the working group is focussed on the existing plans, with a target deadline to have a report by May 2019.

With respect to "Phase I", Bruce Power indicated that they were not sure what new information could resurface that we (the industry) don’t already know. The input from the public has been provided, practices are underway and the working group will give input on the any deltas. The Advisory Committee can help streamline some of that input.

There was a question on whether the draft TOR could be amended. CNSC indicated that this is possible as a result of the comment disposition with the working group.

With concurrence from working group members, the CNSC will look into having the working group meeting minutes available to the advisory committee (and look at the possibility of posting minutes on the CNSC website).

CELA requested the TOR include a methodology section to better understand if there is any technical work being conducted. CNSC indicated this could be covered in Phase II, while making sure all referenced material is available to the public.

CELA again brought up that Greenpeace should be involved in the workshop. CNSC indicated that if the workshop gets expanded "rules of engagement" must be developed to ensure it is focussed and productive.