Commission amends the licensing basis for Ontario Power Generation’s Pickering Waste Management Facility
News release
August 6, 2024 – Ottawa
Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced the Commission’s decision to amend the licensing basis for the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Pickering Waste Management Facility (PWMF). The PWMF is located in the city of Pickering, Ontario, and on the traditional lands and waters of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg, the Gunshot Treaty (1877–88), the Williams Treaties (1923), and the Williams Treaties Settlement Agreement (2018).
With this decision, the Commission has authorized OPG to process and store a maximum of 100 dry storage containers containing used fuel that has been cooled in wet storage at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station for a minimum of 6 years. OPG was previously authorized to process and store dry storage containers containing used fuel that had been cooled in wet storage for at least 10 years.
This decision follows a public hearing in writing with interventions. In making its decision, the Commission considered written submissions from OPG, CNSC staff and 5 intervenors.
A summary record of decision is being issued at this time. The summary reflects the substance of the Commission’s decision with respect to this licence amendment and the applicable licence conditions. The detailed reasons for the Commission’s decision and its assessment of all the submissions made in relation to the application will be provided in a detailed record of decision, to be published at a later date.
The summary record of decision is available upon request by contacting the Commission Registry at interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca. The summary record of decision, as well as the record of decision, will also be posted in both official languages on the CNSC website at cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca at a later date.
Quick facts
- Used nuclear fuel from the operation of nuclear power plants is kept in onsite interim storage facilities.
- The storage of used fuel consists of 2 phases: wet storage and dry storage.
- Used nuclear fuel can be safely transferred to dry storage after it has been sufficiently cooled in wet storage.
Related links
- CNSC oversight of high-level radioactive waste
About the CNSC
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. The Commission is a quasi-judicial administrative tribunal set up at arm’s length from government, independent from any political, government or private sector influence.
Contact
Media Relations
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Tel: 613-996-6860
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