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Request for Information on Potential Impacts of Draft REGDOC-2.11.2, Decommissioning

1. Preface

Acknowledging the draft nature of this document, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is seeking a preliminary assessment of the potential impacts of draft REGDOC-2.11.2, Decommissioning, should it receive Commission approval. The CNSC welcomes comments on this document as well as on the proposed regulatory document itself.

Comments could include additional information on potential impacts should the regulatory document be approved by the Commission and subsequently implemented. Should stakeholders decide to submit impact estimates, the CNSC encourages them to clearly state assumptions and provide enough detail to allow an independent observer to understand how the estimate was derived. Stakeholders could also propose potential alternative approaches that meet the document’s safety objectives.

The CNSC will consider the comments received. Comments will be included in the main regulatory document disposition table and may lead to modifications in draft REGDOC-2.11.2.

In fulfilling its mandate as a federal regulator, the CNSC must also consider values and principles that are difficult to quantify with a dollar value. It must also give consideration to fulfilling its responsibility under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act to disseminate objective scientific and regulatory information. In all cases, safety is the CNSC’s top priority.

All comments received will become part of the public record.

2. Background

In May 2016, the CNSC posted discussion paper DIS-16-03, Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning, for public consultation to seek feedback on the proposed approach to update the CNSC’s regulatory framework for waste and decommissioning. DIS-16-03 proposed the development of waste and decommissioning regulations, as well as updates and consolidations associated with regulatory documents.

The discussion paper was a significant input into the decision to draft regulatory documents that supersede existing CNSC regulatory documentation, ensure guidance aligns with applicable regulations under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, and provide consolidated guidance on radioactive waste management and decommissioning of nuclear facilities. REGDOC-2.11.2 is an outcome of that process.

3. Objectives

REGDOC-2.11.2 provides requirements and guidance concerning the different phases of decommissioning: planning for decommissioning, preparation for decommissioning, execution of decommissioning and completion of decommissioning.

4. Regulatory approach

Licensees are required to plan for decommissioning throughout the lifecycle of the nuclear facility or the duration of the licensed activity. REGDOC-2.11.2 provides requirements and guidance regarding the planning for decommissioning, preparation for decommissioning, execution of decommissioning and completion of decommissioning of Class I facilities, uranium mines and mills and nuclear substances and radioactive devices licensees (waste nuclear substance licensees only) that have decommissioning plans or strategies as a condition of their licence.

Should this regulatory document be approved by the Commission, CNSC staff will develop and apply compliance verification criteria and carry out regular inspections to verify that the licensee is effectively implementing their decommissioning program in accordance with REGDOC‑2.11.2.

5. Potential impacts

The CNSC welcomes stakeholder comments on potential impacts, should draft REGDOC‑2.11.2 be approved. Stakeholders may consider impacts in terms of costs, operations or other impacts.

6. Feedback requested

Please submit comments or feedback to the CNSC by September 16, 2019, in one of the following ways:

  • Email: consultation@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
  • Mail: Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
    P.O. Box 1046, Station B
    280 Slater Street
    Ottawa, ON  K1P 5S9
  • Fax: 613-995-5086

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