Status: Ontario Power Generation Deep Geologic Repository

Location: Tiverton, (Municipality of Kincardine) ON

Summary

The site preparation, construction and operation of a Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) is proposed for the disposal of low- and intermediate-level radioactive wastes on the Bruce Site in Tiverton. The DGR will also hold waste produced from the continued operation of the Bruce, Pickering and Darlington nuclear generating stations.

Latest News

Note: The following are highlights only. For a complete list of documents related to the Joint Review Panel for this project, please consult the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, reference number 06-05-17520.

March 19, 2012: OPG’s Response to the Joint Review Panel Information Request (IRs) Package #1 – including the list of IRs (source: CEAA)
March 8, 2012: Information Request Package #1 from the Deep Geologic Repository Joint Review Panel (source: CEAA)
CNSC Fact Sheet on Regulating Canada’s Geological Repositories
Video on proposed Deep Geoological Repository Project (source: OPG)

Licensing Progress Details

(Timelines are best estimates and are subject to change)

Environmental Assessment and Site Preparation/Construction (Last updated: January 20, 2011)
Operation

Environmental Assessment and Site Preparation

Project Milestone	Responsibility and Status		Date	Comment
Project Milestone	CNSC and other Federal Authorities	Applicant	Date	Comment
OPG submits a letter of intent to apply for a Licence to Prepare Site and Construct with a DGR project description (PDF) - in English only Read Application for Licence to Prepare Site and Construct (August 2007) (PDF) - in English only		Completed by Ontario Power Generation (OPG)	December 2005
Notice of Environmental Assessment (EA) posted	Completed by CNSC		January 2006
Federal Minister of Environment refers EA to a Joint Review Panel (JRP)	Completed by the Minister of Environment		June 2007
Draft Envrionmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines and JRP Agreeemnt published for comments	Completed by the CNSC/CEAA		April 2008
Comment period on draft Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines and JRP Agreement Read comments	Completed		April to June 2008	Opportunity for the public, Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders to review and provide comments.
Final EIS Guidelines and JRP Agreement published	Completed		January 2009	Finalized by the federal Minister of the Environment, in consultation with the President of CNSC, based on comments received.
Major Projects Management Office (MPMO) Project Agreement signed (source: CEAA)	Completed by MPMO		May 2009	An MPMO Project Agreement (source: CEAA) is an agreement between federal Deputy Ministers that outlines the process by which federal departments or agencies will carry out their particular roles or responsibilities during the federal regulatory review of a proposed major resource project. The agreement includes a timeline and schedule for the completion of the regulatory review with regular milestones to allow tracking of progress.
OPG submits EIS with final documentation for Licence to Prepare Site and Construct to JRP (source: CEAA Web site) CNSC acknowledges receipt of EIS and licence documentation from OPG (PDF)		Completed by OPG	April 2011
Appointment of JRP	Completed by the Minister of Environment and the Governor in Council		January 24, 2012	Appointed by the Minister of the Environment and the Governor in Council, in consultation with the President of the CNSC.
Panel Orientation Session and Comment Period on Environmental Impact Statement and Licence Application for Deep Geologic Repository Project (Source: CEAA)	Expected from JRP		February 3, 2012	Webcast and Transcript of Joint Review Panel Orientation Session (PDF) For a complete list of documents related to the Joint Review Panel for this project, please consult the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, reference number 06-05-17520.
Review of EIS, including public review	Expected from JRP		TBD	Review period led by JRP, including conformity and technical review of the EIS by JRP, public, Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders, and opportunities for public comments. (6 months, not inclusive of time used by applicant to respond to JRP requests)
Information Request 1: JRP letter of request for additional information (source: CEAA)	Completed by JRP		March 8, 2012	JRP sends a letter to Ontario Power Generation requesting additional information concerning the EIS and complete application for a Licence to Prepare a Site, submitted by Ontario Power Generation in April 2011 (source: OPG)
Ontario Power Generation responds in January to the JRP Information Request 1 of December 2009. (Source: CEAA)		Completed by OPG	March 19, 2012	Ontario Power Generation responds to JRP’s Information Request 1, concerning the EIS and application for a Licence to Prepare Site submitted by Ontario Power Generation in April 2011 (Source: OPG)
Notice of Public Hearings posted	Expected from JRP		TBD
JRP holds Public Hearings	Expected from the JRP		TBD	To hear views about the EIS and the application for a Licence to Prepare Site and Construct from the public, Aboriginal groups, OPG and other stakeholders.
JRP submits Report to Federal Government	Expected from the JRP		TBD	The Report is published and presented by the Minister of the Environment to the Governor in Council.
Federal Government’s Response to Report	Expected from the Governor in Council		TBD	The Governor in Council responds whether the project may proceed or not.
JRP issues Licence to Prepare Site and Construct	Expected from the JRP		TBD	If the Governor in Council’s response is that the project may proceed, the JRP could issue Licence to Prepare Site and Construct.

Operation

Project Milestone	Responsibility and Status		Date	Comment
Project Milestone	CNSC and other Federal Authorities	Applicant	Date	Comment
OPG applies for a Licence to Operate		Expected from OPG	2015
CNSC holds Public Hearings	Expected from CNSC		2017	CNSC holds Public Hearings on the OPG Application for a Licence to Operate and decides on the application.