That’s a wrap - Bring Back the Salmon Program
For almost two decades, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), along with community members and partners from across the Durham Region work to bring Atlantic salmon back to Lake Ontario through the Bring Back the Salmon, Lake Ontario Restoration Program.
Earlier this spring, students from Central Public (Bowmanville) and Biidaasige Mandamin (Pickering) elementary schools joined OPG, OFAH and local Conservation Authorities on the banks of Duffins and Bowmanville Creeks to release salmon as the final tier of the program.
Over the winter and spring months, students tracked progress of the eggs with the help of local Conservation Authorities with hatcheries installed at OPG’s Darlington Information Centre. The program came full circle when each student released over 200 of their very own salmon into the local tributaries.
OPG is pleased to be the lead sponsor of Bring Back the Salmon. By teaching today’s young people about the importance of habitat restoration, stewardship, and environmentalism, we are supporting happy and healthy communities for years to come!
To learn more, visit www.bringbackthesalmon.ca
Polish Prime Minister visits Darlington
OPG’s Darlington site was buzzing with activity in June when we welcomed Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki of Poland to continue discussions around our common energy goals and global decarbonization.
As part of the visit, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Federal and Provincial Ministers, local municipal and regional officials and members of our Darlington Community Advisory Council participated in an Energy Roundtable, to discuss the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), new nuclear technology, and combatting climate change.
“I was honoured to be a part of this day; the excitement in the room was incredible. I am also very fortunate to have been a part of the Darlington Community Advisory Council for many years and I have seen firsthand the work that OPG has done both in the community and for the environment. I am looking forward to seeing how far our little community of Clarington goes on the world nuclear stage” – Jim Boate, a member of the Darlington Community Advisory Council.
This visit was yet another example of the well worn commentary “the world is watching”. Partners, like those in Poland, and around the world, are learning from OPG, the Region of Durham and the Municipality of Clarington as we work together towards our common climate change goals.
Darlington Refurbishment celebration
“Once complete, the Refurbishment Project will enable the production of clean, safe, low-cost and emission free electricity from the Darlington station for an additional 30-plus years for Clarington and the Province of Ontario.” – Adrian Foster
In early August, neighbours, community members and elected officials gathered with OPG to celebrate the halfway mark in the Darlington Refurbishment Project.
In 2016, OPG’s team of project partners, industry experts, energy professionals, and skilled tradespeople successfully shut down the first of four Darlington reactors scheduled for refurbishment over the next 10 years.
“We were thrilled to celebrate this momentous achievement with our employees and members from our local community. Unit 3 is now providing clean, reliable energy for Ontarians - enough to power 350,000 homes” - Subo Sinnathamby, SVP Nuclear Refurbishment. “We look forward to completing the next phase of the project safely, on time and on budget.”
Learn more at opg.com/darlingtonrefurb
Pickering Nuclear planning for a bright future
In June, OPG submitted a Licence Amendment Application to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) requesting approval to operate Pickering Nuclear Generating Station Units 5-8 to the end of December 2026. A public hearing will be held, and if approved, the station can continue to provide safe, reliable power to the province while other nuclear stations in Ontario undergo refurbishment.
The application highlights Pickering Nuclear’s strong performance and significant achievements during the current licence term. In fact, through ongoing investments and the efforts of our employees, Pickering Nuclear is seeing its best performance ever, including:
- In 2022, all six operating units at Pickering had a record 109-day run.
- In 2022, the station produced 19.4 terawatt hours of electricity, saving five megatonnes of CO² for Ontario and bringing us closer to our net-zero goals.
- In 2021, Units 4 and 6 ranked among the top 10 CANDU reactors in the world.
As part of the application, OPG updated the Periodic Safety Review 2 (PSR2). The updated PSR2-B confirms the design and operation of the station’s structures, systems and components supports the safe commercial operations of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, Units 5-8 to the end of 2026. The Licence Amendment Application is available at www.opg.com/poweringontario/ourgeneration/nuclear/operating-licences.
OPG has also submitted a recommendation to the Province of Ontario in regard to the refurbishment of Pickering Nuclear, Units 5-8 and we hope to receive a final decision by the end of 2023.
Darlington New Nuclear Project
Big things start small.
On July 7, 2023, the Ontario government announced it will work with OPG to commence planning and licensing for three additional Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), for a total of four at the Darlington New Nuclear site. Pending regulatory approvals, the total output of the Darlington New Nuclear Project would be 1,200 megawatts; enough electricity to reliably and safely power about 1.2 million homes and help our community and the Province meet increasing demand from electrification.
“The expanded Darlington SMR project will mean thousands of jobs during construction and hundreds of local jobs during operations. It’s an investment that will drive economic growth and job creation in Clarington, now and into the future,” said Mayor of Clarington Adrian Foster. “We are excited to work with the Provincial government and OPG to take this next step in new nuclear technology.”
Supporting new SMR development and investing in nuclear power is part of the government’s larger plan to prepare for electricity demand in the 2030s and 2040s. The plan will build on Ontario’s clean electricity advantage and ensure the Province has the power to maintain its position as a leader in job creation and a magnet for the industries of the future.
A fleet of SMRs at the Darlington New Nuclear site is key to meeting growing electricity demands and net zero goals. OPG has proven its large nuclear project expertise through the Darlington Refurbishment Project, which remains on track. We will take a similar approach to building a fleet of SMRs to deliver cost and schedule savings. We know all eyes are on us now. But we are ready to deliver, beginning with the commercial operation of our first SMR in 2029.Ken HartwickOPG President and CEO
- Quick fact: The construction and operation of four SMRs would contribute approximately $14 billion to Ontario’s GDP, and create and sustain 2,000 jobs each year in Canada over the next 60 years*.
*Preliminary estimates from the Conference Board of Canada.
Learn more at opg.com/newnuclear
Powering connections with Indigenous Nations and Communities
OPG is committed to fostering positive and mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities with both rights and interests regarding the Darlington New Nuclear Project activities. OPG has continued to engage the Treaty Rights Holders (Williams Treaties First Nations), as well as other Indigenous and First Nations who have historical and cultural ties to the land on which the project site is situated.
Discussions cover a range of topics, including environmental impacts and monitoring, stormwater protection, designing for climate change, archaeological heritage aspects, as well as business and employment opportunities that the project brings.
Did you know that Curve Lake First Nation hosts a unique program to train Archaeological Field Liaisons through Trent University? OPG is a key sponsor of this program and was pleased to attend the graduation of the latest cohort of liaisons last May. These graduates are trained and ready for the 2023 archaeological field season!
Our team also enjoyed participating in two Métis Nation of Ontario events so far this year: the Métis Business Expo and the Métis Heritage Celebration. The Métis Business Expo, held in Midland, ON, was the Georgian Bay region’s first Métis trade show, showcasing Métis culture, businesses and artisans. OPG promoted Métis business opportunities within operations and projects, including the Darlington New Nuclear Project.
The 14th Annual Métis Heritage Celebration was a free family event held at the Children’s Arena in Oshawa, and included vendors, cultural entertainment, fiddling, jigging, drumming, storytelling, presenters, children’s activities, games, arts and crafts. OPG attended with our partners GE Hitachi, CANDU Energy and Aecon, and engaged in discussions with members on OPG operations, SMRs, career opportunities and business opportunities.
Summer is Pow Wow season and project members are always excited to attend these rich cultural celebrations, including the Alderville First Nation Pow Wow. Celebrations like these progress our education and reinforce our commitment to fostering relationships based upon trust and mutual understanding.
Meet our Team: Sarah Elliott-Le Dreff
Sarah, a Senior Manager of Project Controls and proud member of the Darlington New Nuclear Project team, is excited about growing the clean energy industry by collaborating with experts from across the nuclear industry. A Queens University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics, Sarah works on the integrated project team with GE Hitachi, SNC Lavalin and Aecon, supporting the development and eventual construction of this new nuclear technology in Canada.
“A fleet of SMRs at the Darlington site will help Canada achieve its climate change goals while providing the clean, reliable, baseload power we need to meet our increasing electricity demands. It’s exciting to work on such an innovative project that will not only power Ontario, but will increase jobs in the region, strengthen our economy, and advance OPG as a leader in this SMR technology.”
Sarah grew up in Whitby and now lives in Markham with her husband and three boys ages 11, 8, and 4. Together they enjoy spending time outdoors hiking, skiing, canoeing and camping
DNNP Public Hearing
In Canada, every stage of a nuclear power plants lifespan must have a licence from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). Each of these licensing stages includes a public forum where stakeholders and members of the public can get involved and share their views.
The CNSC has announced they will hold a public hearing in January 2024 to consider the applicability of the Darlington New Nuclear Project’s existing Environmental Assessment to our selected SMR technology.
Want to get involved?
Members of the public, Indigenous groups and other stakeholders who have an interest or expertise in the matter being considered, or who have information that may be useful to the CNSC in coming to a decision can formally participate as intervenors in public hearings. Interventions may be made in either of Canada’s official languages, via either a written submission or a written submission accompanied by an oral presentation during the hearing.
Anyone wishing to intervene at a hearing must submit a request to participate to the Commission Registry by using the online request form, by sending an email to the Commission Registry or by submitting a request via fax or mail.
Requests must be made to the CNSC by Nov. 20, 2023. For more information, visit www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca
DNNP in the community
January to June 2023
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community committees gathered 5 times to discuss the latest news from DNNP
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related media releases and news articles (each) published
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members of the public registered for a Public Information Session
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social media posts were made about project development & SMRs
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local families attended our March break programming
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responses to public inquiries through OPG websites, phones, and email
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people were invited to our stakeholder workshops
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community events attended in Durham Region to answer questions & engage with community
Another successful Tuesdays on the Trail Program
For more than two decades, the Durham-area Tuesdays on the Trail program has provided family-friendly activities for children aged six to 12 years on select Tuesdays in July and August at OPG’s Pickering and Darlington nuclear sites. With summer winding down, OPG recently wrapped up another successful season of its Tuesdays on the Trail program.
With the help of local high school student volunteers and the support of OPG’s community partners, this year’s lineup provided fun, free and educational morning activities at Centennial Park in Pickering and along the Darlington Waterfront Trail in Courtice.
Community partners included Pickering and Clarington Public Libraries, Scientists in School, Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue and Durham Community Health Centre.
Missed out on the fun?
Check here see where staff from OPG’s nuclear stations will be next:
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