Ontario Power Generation

PROJECT OVERVIEW

OPG was directed by the Province of Ontario in 2006 to begin the federal approvals process for new nuclear at an existing site, including an environmental assessment.

The New Nuclear at Darlington Project involves the construction and operation of up to four nuclear power reactors and up to 4,800 MW of electrical capacity and associated facilities, at OPG’s existing Darlington Nuclear site, to meet the base load energy needs of Ontario.

On September 30, 2009, OPG formally submitted to the federal authorities the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - for details please go to the Environmental Assessment web page, an updated Application for a Licence to Prepare Site (LTPS), and applications to the Departments of Fisheries and Oceans, and Transport Canada, for work that requires early federal approvals.

Joint Review Panel

In October 2009, a three-member Joint Review Panel (JRP) was mandated by the Minister of the Environment and the President of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project and review the application for a licence to prepare a site.

On August 25, 2011, the report of the Joint Review Panel for the proposed Darlington New Nuclear Project was released. The overall finding of the Joint Review Panel is consistent with OPG’s findings that, the Darlington New Nuclear Project will not result in any significant adverse environmental effects given available mitigations.

The report follows a review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared by Ontario Power Generation (the proponent), and a 17 day public hearing held from March 22, 2011 to April 8, 2011 in the Municipality of Clarington, Ontario. The public hearing addressed project need, purpose and alternatives; potential effects on all aspects of the environment, including the economy, aquatic and terrestrial environment as well as the social and cultural environment; environmental management, monitoring and follow-up; and cross-cutting issues. During the review of the EIS and public hearing, the Joint Review Panel received submissions and heard presentations from the proponent, Aboriginal groups, federal, provincial and local governments, environmental groups, individuals and organizations interested in the potential effects of the project.

The Joint Review Panel has made a number of recommendations to OPG and to the relevant federal, provincial and municipal authorities regarding condenser cooling, lake infill, land use, health, waste management, nuclear accidents and emergency preparedness, liability management and the choice of a reactor technology, among others. Some of the recommendations need to be implemented prior the issuance of the site preparation licence, some prior to the issuance of the construction licence.

The Governor in Council will now review the report, and decide whether to approve the report and accepts the panel’s recommendations. After the decision on the application for a licence to prepare a site, the JRP is dissolved and all further licensing decisions are made by the Commission Tribunal.

Next Licensing Steps

If OPG is granted a licence to prepare a site, the next step is the licence to construct, and licence to operate. Licensing decisions will include a Commission Tribunal public hearing. Projected dates for these phases are available under the OPG's project milestones chart.

http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/readingroom/newbuilds
/opg_darlington/#2

As part of a licence to construct, the licence application review includes a range of subjects, such as the assessment of external hazards like earthquakes, flooding, fire and extreme weather events; measures for prevention and mitigation of severe accidents; emergency preparedness; malfunctions, accidents and malevolent acts; and evaluation of potential radiological dose consequences.

After a licence is granted

If the construction and operating licences are granted, the CNSC monitors the licensee’s compliance programs, on an ongoing basis, to ensure that laws, regulations, standards and licence conditions are adhered to.

Find out more:

http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/readingroom/newbuilds
/opg_darlington/follow-the-cnsc-at-the-darlington-jrp-hearing.cfm

Last Updated 8/25/2011 1:28:30 PM

Learn more about the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station.

LEARN MORE

View two videos on OPG's New Nuclear at Darlington Project.

Potential Physical Changes to Darlington Site
Environmental Assessment

Canadian Environmental Assesment Registry

Ontario's Integrated Power Supply Plan

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission