Ontario Power Generation

Nuclear Waste Management

Overview

Electricity powers our economy, schools, and hospitals and is an integral part of our modern life. The electricity generated by nuclear power comes with the byproduct of nuclear waste. Every employee of OPG’s Nuclear Waste Management Division recognizes and accepts the responsibility for the management of our waste in an environmentally, socially and financially responsible manner.

We are dedicated, uncompromising and absolute in our commitment to the safety of fellow employees, the public, the communities where we operate, and the environment.

OPG operates 2 facilities for the interim storage of nuclear waste generated by OPG’s 10 nuclear reactors and Bruce Power’s eight nuclear reactors. We constantly strive to improve upon our safety record and to remain on the leading edge of developments in the nuclear waste industry. We exchange our experience, knowledge and research with the international community.

Planning for the Future

We have an obligation to plan for the eventual decommissioning of our nuclear facilities and the long-term management of our nuclear waste. We believe it is important to ensure that future generations do not have to bear the cost of today’s operations. OPG makes annual contributions to special funds dedicated solely for decommissioning and waste management. As of 2011, OPG has accumulated a total of $11 billion dedicated for this purpose.

Our industry is one of the most strictly regulated in Canada. Our facilities and transportation programs are licenced and monitored by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. We comply with conditions, directives and regulations issued by Natural Resources Canada, Transport Canada, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, the Provincial Ministry of the Environment and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Fuel Bundle We have been safely storing nuclear waste for over 40 years now and we are proud of our operating record and the progress we have made towards long-term solutions for the future. Our partnership with the Municipality of Kincardine to develop a Deep Geologic Repository for low and intermediate level waste on the Bruce site was endorsed by the community in 2005. In 2010, after more than four years of studies, investigations and analyses the Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Safety Report were completed and in 2011 submitted to the Joint Review Panel. The public comment period, public hearing review for EA approval and site licence for construction will follow in 2012.

OPG is the owner and licensee of the DGR. In 2010, after more than four years of studies, investigations and analyses, the Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Safety Report were completed and in 2011 submitted for review by the Joint Review Panel which was appointed early in 2012. The public comment period, public hearing review for EA approval and site licence for construction will follow in 2012. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has been contracted to manage the project through the regulatory process, on behalf of OPG.

Regarding long-term management of used fuel, OPG has also made a significant contribution to the NWMO, which has recommended an Adaptive Phased Management approach to the Federal Government for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel in Canada.

Although we are proud of our contributions to these initiatives, there is nothing we value more than our relationship with the people of Ontario. The safe storage of nuclear waste is important to every Ontarian, so every Ontarian has the right to know how we manage our business. This site is just one of our many efforts to achieve transparency, encourage dialogue, and earn your confidence.

Performance Reports