Construction and operation of facilities for refurbishment waste storage (RWS) at the Western Waste Management Facility

Start date : December 10, 2004
Type : Screening
CEAR reference number : 04-01-8208
Proponent : Ontario Power Generation (OPG)
Location : Bruce Power Site, Tiverton, Ontario

Latest update

• March 2, 2006 - CNSC Announces Decision on Screening Environmental Assessment for Ontario Power Generation's Proposed Expansion of the Western Waste Management Facility
• January 16, 2006 - Request for public comment - Draft Screening Report - Comment period closed
• November 28, 2005 - Request for public comment - Draft Screening Report
• January 28, 2005 - EA guidelines issued by CNSC

Project Description

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has received a request for regulatory approval from Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to prepare the undeveloped part of OPG's Western Waste Management Facility (WWMF) for the construction and operation of additional facilities for Refurbishment Waste Storage (RWS), including approval for a further 270 IC-18s and 30 IC-HX at OPG's WWMF located on the Bruce Nuclear site near Kincardine, Ontario.

The purpose of the proposal is to provide additional low and intermediate level waste storage capacity to accommodate wastes resulting from refurbishment activities and future operations at nuclear power stations in Ontario. The proposed project is not intended to alter the basic purpose and activities associated with the WWMF. Also, the project is not intended to alter the use or capacity of the OPG's or Bruce Power's nuclear generating facilities; the additional storage capacity at the WWMF will enable the generating facilities to continue operating as planned and currently approved. The proposed additional facilities would be located entirely within the boundaries of the WWMF.

CNSC authorization of the project requires an amendment of the existing license by a Designated Officer pursuant to section 37(2)(d) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. Before CNSC's Designated Officer makes its decision on OPG's licence amendment application, an environmental assessment must be completed in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The purpose of an environmental assessment is to identify the possible environmental effects of a proposed project, and determine whether these effects can be mitigated before the project is allowed to proceed.

Steps ahead:

• Development of EA guidelines (scope document)
• Review of EA study report
• Preparation of screening report
• Public consultation on screening report
• EA decision by Designated Officer

Further information

For questions or information directly related to the environmental assessment of this project, please contact:

For questions or information directly related to the environmental assessment of this project, contact the CNSC.

CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment and to respect Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.