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History of Environmental Assessment Solid Radioactive Waste Management Facility

Environmental Assessment Background

As part of the retube activity during refurbishment, NB Power must store the radioactive material being removed from the reactor. As a result, additional storage structures will be constructed at the existing licensed onsite Solid Radioactive Waste Management Facility (SRWMF). Additional vaults will be constructed to house the low-level radioactive wastes that will be generated over the extended plant life. The land within the waste management area will also be prepared for additional fuel storage canisters that will be constructed later, on an as needed basis, to house the used fuel generated over the extended operating period.

NB Power applied to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for authorization to modify and construct these new structures at the Solid Radioactive Waste Management Facility (SRWMF).

Before the CNSC could make its decision, an Environmental Assessment (EA) had to be completed in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). The purpose of the environmental assessment is to identify the possible environmental effects of the modification and construction of new structures at the SRWMF. The project was also registered under the provincial Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation.

NB Power worked with the responsible federal and provincial agencies to supply them with the necessary background information and to clearly understand the steps required in the assessment. It was agreed that the two EA processes would be coordinated and would be based on a single set of documentation. The EA was entered into the public registry with CEAA and is # 27931 on the Federal Environmental Assessment Index (FEAI). It is entitled "Modification to Point Lepreau SRWMF" and is listed on the CEAA Web site.

Timeline of Events

2002

February 8, 2002 – March 8, 2002 - Through the EA process, the public had the opportunity to comment on both the guidelines and the assessment itself. The draft guidelines were issued for public comment. Approximately 130 comments from 10 groups were received.

May 22, 2002 - A Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) hearing was held to approve the EA guidelines.

June 24, 2002 - As a result of the CNSC hearing, the guidelines were approved and NB Power was delegated the responsibility of preparing the EA Study Report.

The guidelines defined the scope of the project to include:

• "the modification, construction and operation of the physical works;
• the specific refurbishment activities which would generate waste requiring management in the SRWMF and the handling and transport of those wastes."

In addition, the guidelines included "the incremental environmental effects of continued operation of the Point Lepreau Generating Station following completion of the refurbishment activities" as a factor to be considered in the assessment. NB Power prepared the EA Study Report and following regulatory review and comment, the document was revised and re-submitted to both regulatory parties.

2003

March 18, 2003 – April 17, 2003 - The CNSC sent out a request for public comment on the draft EA Screening Report for the proposed modifications and additions to the SRWMF.

April 10, 2003 - Day one hearing was held concerning the licence renewal of the SRWMF.

June 27, 2003 - Day two hearing was held concerning the licence renewal of the SRWMF. A one-day hearing was also held on this day concerning the EA Screening Report. This hearing provided the opportunity for the public to intervene either by written or oral presentation to the CNSC.

July 24, 2003 - A positive decision on the EA from both the provincial and federal authorities was received. The release from the EA process allowed NB Power to proceed to the next regulatory step, which involved amending its existing Waste Facility Operating Licence to allow construction and operation of the new storage structures that were addressed in the EA.

September 25, 2003 - Day one licence amendment hearing with the CNSC.

November 26, 2003 - Day two licence amendment hearing with the CNSC. There were 19 intervenors at this hearing.

2004

January 13, 2004 - Following the hearing, the CNSC announced its decision to amend the existing waste facility operating licence for the SRWMF.

February 5, 2004 - The amended licence was issued.

May 13, 2004 – July 9, 2004 - Following the issuance of the amended licence, and consistent with the positive EA Decisions in August 2003, NB Power implemented its Environmental Assessment Follow-up Program. The Environmental Assessment Follow-up Program document was made available for public comment. The program was revised to address comments submitted to the CNSC and DELG.

November 23, 2004 - The proposed programs were accepted.