Canadian Nuclear Commission canadienne Safety Commission de sûreté nucléaire

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Canada’s Nuclear Regulator

GarryGarry SchwarzSchwarz Director,Director, CanadianCanadian NuclearNuclear SafetySafety CommissionCommission Presentation to the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta 2009 Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting Calgary, Alberta April 24, 2009 nuclearsafety.gc.canuclearsafety.gc.ca Alberta’sAlberta’s nuclearnuclear historyhistory hashas beenbeen relativelyrelatively limitedlimited inin scopescope

Nuclear Substances/ Radiography: Verification of welds Radiation Devices

– Well-logging

– Industrial radiography

– Nuclear medicine

– Other applications

Nuclear Physics

– SLOWPOKE-II nuclear research reactor

¾ University of Alberta

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 2 However,However, significantsignificant interestinterest inin nuclearnuclear powerpower inin AlbertaAlberta recentlyrecently

Bruce Power Alberta

— 2007 Application for licence to prepare a site in Peace River area submitted by Energy Alberta Corporation

— withdrawn by Alberta in January 2009

— Recently selected Whitemud site, 30 km north of Peace River, as preferred location

— Application is pending Nuclear Power Expert Panel

– Appointed in 2008 by Government of Alberta to gather information and present facts on nuclear energy

– Released report on March 26, 2009

– Public consultations will be conducted to gather views of Albertans on nuclear power in the context of the province’s electricity system

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 3 WithWith allall thisthis interest,interest, youyou shouldshould knowknow whowho isis regulatingregulating thethe nuclearnuclear showshow inin CanadaCanada

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 4 CanadianCanadian NuclearNuclear SafetySafety CommissionCommission

Canada’s nuclear watchdog Quasi-judicial body independent of, but not isolated from, government Regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect the health, safety and security of persons and the environment; and to respect Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy The CNSC regulates the nuclear industry; it does not promote it The CNSC is neutral on the relative merits of nuclear power

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 5 WhyWhy dodo wewe needneed aa strongstrong regulator?regulator?

Guarding against the rare but possibly catastrophic accident requires eternal vigilance and a never-ending fight against complacency Mr. Richard A. Meserve, Chairman International Nuclear Safety Group (INSAG)

Pickering Nuclear Generating Station A strong, competent regulator is an important part of the defence in depth against undesirable events occurring

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 6 NuclearNuclear regulationregulation isis aa federalfederal responsibilityresponsibility

CNSC regulates all nuclear facilities and activities in Canada including: Nuclear power plants mines and mills Uranium fuel fabricators and processing facilities Nuclear substance processing facilities Industrial and medical applications of nuclear substances, such as nuclear medicine and cancer treatment centers Research and educational facilities Export/import of controlled nuclear substances, equipment and technology Waste management facilities

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 7 CNSCCNSC regulatoryregulatory philosophyphilosophy

The CNSC regulatory philosophy stems from the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA), and is articulated in P-299, Regulatory Fundamentals Policy (available on the CNSC Web site) Licensees are responsible for managing regulated activities in a manner that protects health, safety, security and the environment while respecting Canada’s international obligations. CNSC is responsible to the public, through Parliament, for regulatory policies and programs which assure that licensees properly discharge their responsibilities.

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 8 ExecutiveExecutive structurestructure

President Michael Binder Commission 613-992-8828 Members

Dr. Michael Binder Dr. Christopher R. Barnes Commission Executive Advisor Secretariat Dr. Ronald Barriault Colin Moses Mr. Alan R. Graham Commission Secretary Mr. André Harvey Mr. Dan D. Tolgyesi Marc Leblanc Dr. J. Moyra J. McDill 613-995-6506 Office of Audit, Dr. Louis LaPierre Evaluation and Ethics

Legal Services Regulatory Technical Support Regulatory Affairs Corporate Services Operations Branch Branch Branch Branch

Senior General Counsel Executive Vice-President Vice-President Vice-President Vice-President and and Director of Legal and Chief Regulatory Chief Financial Officer Services Officer

Jacques Lavoie Ramzi Jammal Terry Jamieson Patricia McDowell Gordon White 613-996-9694 613-947-8899 613-947-8931 613-943-7662 613-995-0104

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 9 MembersMembers ofof CommissionCommission TribunalTribunal

Dr. Michael Binder Mr. André Harvey President and Chief Executive Officer Former President of the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE) Québec, Québec

Dr. Christopher R. Barnes Mr. Dan D. Tolgyesi Professor, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, President of the Québec Mining Association University of Victoria, Québec, Québec Victoria, British Columbia

Dr. Ronald J. Barriault Dr. J. Moyra J. McDill Practising physician and member of the Professor, Department of Mechanical and Canadian Medical Association, the College of Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, Family Physicians of Canada and the New Ottawa, Ontario Brunswick Medical Society Charlo, New Brunswick

Mr. Alan R. Graham Dr. Louis LaPierre Businessman and former Minister of Natural Professor Emeritus in Biology at the Université Resources and Energy in New Brunswick de Moncton, Rexton, New Brunswick Moncton, New Brunswick

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 10 CommissionCommission TribunalTribunal

Quasi-judicial administrative tribunal Key decision drivers are health, safety, security and the environment Holds public hearings on licensing matters for major nuclear facilities – Affected parties and members of the public have opportunity to be heard – Usually held during 2 hearing days about 60 days apart

Transparent decision-making

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 11 CNSCCNSC staffstaff

Scientific, technical and other professional staff, responsible for:

implementing the decisions of the Commission verifying compliance with licences and regulations reviewing licence applications and performing EA review work developing regulatory guidance advising on regulatory policy and options engaging citizens and communities through outreach

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 12 LocatedLocated acrossacross CanadaCanada

Staff: ~ 800 Resources: $150 M

Calgary Western Regional Saskatoon Office Uranium Mills and Mines Division Gentilly-2 Point Lepreau Regional Office HQ Chalk River Laval Eastern HQ in Ottawa Regional Office 5 site offices at power reactors Bruce A & B Darlington 1 site office at Chalk River Pickering Mississauga Southern 4 regional offices Regional Office

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 13 OngoingOngoing operationsoperations

Non-power reactors NRU – operating safely 8 others also operating safely Uranium mines and mills 6 active projects Radioactive waste management Nuclear fuel waste stored safely on site Mine/mill tailings are well managed Nuclear substances Form majority of our licensees and licences Administer approximately 2900 licences International obligations Imports, exports and safeguards that assure safe and peaceful trade Nuclear power reactors 18 in operation; all operating safely

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 14 Non-powerNon-power reactors:reactors: researchresearch andand medicalmedical radioisotoperadioisotope productionproduction

Licensee Location Status McMaster University (Pool-type research reactor) Hamilton, ON Operating École Polytechnique (SLOWPOKE-2) Montréal, QC Operating École Polytechnique (Subcritical assembly) Montréal, QC Operating Dalhousie University (SLOWPOKE-2) Halifax, NS Operating Research Council (SLOWPOKE-2) Saskatoon, SK Operating University of Alberta (SLOWPOKE-2) Edmonton, AB Operating Royal Military College of Canada (SLOWPOKE-2) Kingston, ON Operating NRU (AECL) Chalk River, ON Operating ZED-2 (AECL) Chalk River, ON Operating

NRU is the most prominent facility, since it is responsible for much of the world’s production of a widely-used medical radioisotope.

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 15 The NRU story – safety first!

51 year-old research reactor principal source of medical radioisotopes licence expires in October 2011 Shutdown in December 2007 resulted in Parliamentary intervention Lessons Learned Report - Talisman CNSC-AECL Protocol for licensing activities December 2008 heavy water leaks no risk to the public or environment Parliamentary Committee appearance

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 16 UraniumUranium miningmining projectsprojects

6 active projects Key Lake Mill - McArthur River Mine - Cameco - Cameco /Mill - Cameco McClean Lake Mines/Mills - AREVA Midwest Mine - AREVA Coming soon? Kiggavik Project - AREVA Eco Ridge – Pele Mountain Matoush – Strateco Shea Creek – AREVA Millennium Project – Cameco Michelin Project - Aurora The industry’s source for fuel

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 17 DecommissioningDecommissioning andand remediation:remediation: assuringassuring environmentalenvironmental protectionprotection

Saskatchewan Beaverlodge Mine / Mill historical mine decommissioned / Mill decommissioned seeking licence renewal in 09 Lorado and Gunnar Mines / Mills non-licensed legacy sites to be remediated Lorado application expected May 09 Gunnar EA in progress Ontario Deloro Mine Site Cleanup Project Ont. Ministry of Environment initiative EA to be completed June 09 Licensed by December 09 Remediation to start in 2010 Elliot Lake / Bancroft area historical uranium mines decommissioned

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 18 RadioactiveRadioactive wastewaste managementmanagement

The CNSC regulates licensees’ management of waste Spent nuclear fuel is managed onsite at nuclear power plants

Dry fuel storage casks

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 19 PreparingPreparing forfor tomorrow’stomorrow’s wastewaste

Ontario Power Generation , Tiverton, ON Low and intermediate-level waste no used fuel Joint Review Panel and Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines approved Nuclear Waste Management Office Adaptive Phased Management Nuclear fuel waste Centralized storage Long-term solution

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 20 Security of nuclear substances in Canada

In January 2006, the CNSC fully implemented a Sealed Source Tracking System (SSTS) The SSTS tracks the location and possession of all high-risk sealed sources Canada was the first G8 country to meet this requirement

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 21 Nuclear non-proliferation and international obligations

The CNSC enforces strict control on nuclear material, equipment and information to ensure peaceful uses International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s nuclear watchdog, verifies that Canada has control over materials within Canada

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 22 Canada’sCanada’s nuclearnuclear energyenergy profileprofile

Typical share of nuclear energy in total electricity generation 2 Operable status In service 1983 Canada – 14.7% In service / returned MWe to service 635 Ontario – 52% Guaranteed shutdown state Gentilly, QC In service within design life New Brunswick – 30% 1 In refurbishment In service 1983 Quebec – 3% Average age – 25 Years MWe 635 Point Lepreau, NB

A2 A3 A4 A2 A3 A4 A1 1 2 A1 In service In service In serviceservice In service In service In service In seservicervice In service In service In service 1971 1972 1977 1978/2003 1971/2005 Guaranteed 1971/2003 1992 1990 1977 1979/2003 Guaranteed MWe MWe MWe shutdown MWe MWe MWe MWe MWe shutdown 750 750 515 state state 515 881 881 750 750

B5 B6 B7 B8 3 4 B5 B6 B7 B8 In serviceservice In serviceservice In seservicervice In serviceservice In service In service In serviceservice In service In service In service 1983 1984 1985 1986 1993 1993 1985 1984 1986 1987 MWe MWe MWe MWe MWe MWe MWe MWe MWe MWe 516 516 516 516 881 881 882 882 882 882 Pickering, ON Darlington, ON Bruce, ON

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 23 RefurbishmentRefurbishment ofof existingexisting reactorsreactors

Ontario Bruce A 1 & 2 Request to load fuel expected September 2009 Pickering B EA complete New Brunswick Point Lepreau Completion end of 2009 Québec Gentilly-2 Scheduled to begin in 2011

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 24 Regulatory oversight of existing nuclear power plants (NPPs)

Regulatory compliance: a 3-part program Establish the rules

– Communicate/clarify expectations Verify

– Desktop reviews

– Event reviews

– Type I (spot) and Type II (audit) inspections

– S-99; quarterly and annual reports on Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring Enforce

– General Regulations s.12. (2)(b)

– Warnings, recommendations

– Orders, licence amendments, prosecution

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 25 Compliance:Compliance: safetysafety areasareas

9 Safety areas • Operating performance • Performance assurance • Design and analysis • Equipment fitness for service • Emergency preparedness • Environmental protection • Radiation protection • Site security • Safeguards

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 26 Compliance:Compliance: staffstaff ratingsratings

Each Safety Area is evaluated for the documented programs areas and their implementation

A = exceeds requirements

B = meets requirements

C = below requirements D = significantly below requirements E = unacceptable Evaluations take into account

– Compliance activities

– Performance indicators

– Status of issues

– Licensee progress on issues

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 27 CNSCCNSC staffstaff ratingrating exampleexample BruceBruce Power,Power, 20072007

Exceeds Meets Below Significantly below Unacceptable A requirements B requirements C requirements D requirements E

Bruce A Bruce A Bruce B Bruce B Safety Area Program Implementation Program Implementation Operating performance B B B B Performance assurance B B B B Design and analysis B B B B Equipment fitness for service B B B B Emergency preparedness A A A A Environmental performance B B B B Radiation protection B B B B Safeguards B B B B

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 28 NewNew nuclearnuclear plantsplants proposedproposed forfor CanadaCanada

Bruce Power Tiverton, ON Application for licence to prepare site (August 2006) Environmental Assessment in progress Joint Review Panel (JRP) in place Nanticoke, ON Application for licence to prepare site (October 2008) Darlington, ON Application for licence to prepare site (September 2006) Final Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines and Joint Review Panel Agreement published (March 2009) The first in almost 30 years! APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 29 CNSCCNSC responseresponse toto newnew buildsbuilds

Pre-project vendor design reviews – any fundamental barriers to licensing in Canada? – ACR-1000 – Phase 2 in progress – EPR/AP-1000/EC-6 – Phase 1 in progress Review guides – standardize reviews Implementation of Joint Review Panels

AP-1000

ACR-1000 EPR

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 30 ClarityClarity ofof licensinglicensing frameworkframework

Integration of EA and site licensing processes Parallel processes for licence applications Regulatory framework INFO-0756, Licensing Process for New NPPs in Canada RD337, Design of New Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) RD346, Site Evaluation for New NPPs RD360, Life Extension of NPPs RD310, Safety Analysis for NPPs RD204, Certification of Persons Working at NPPs nuclearsafety.gc.ca

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 31 GenericGeneric EnvironmentalEnvironmental AssessmentAssessment andand licensinglicensing processprocess forfor newnew nuclearnuclear powerpower plantsplants

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APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 32 OverviewOverview ofof nuclearnuclear powerpower plantplant licensinglicensing

CNSC Class I nuclear facilities Regulations require separate licences for each of the five phases in the lifecycle of an NPP:

Preparing land for future construction Licence to prepare a site The receipt of the application is a “trigger” in the CEA Act which requires a detailed project description to trigger an Environmental Assessment

Licence to construct Construction of NPP and some commissioning of systems

Reactor allowed to go critical, commissioning completed, Licence to operate plant begins production

NPP production stopped, reactor defuelled, NPP Licence to decommission disassembly

Licence to abandon NPP gone, long-term monitoring of site in progress

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 33 PublicPublic involvementinvolvement inin thethe licensinglicensing processprocess forfor NPPsNPPs

In the event of an application to build a new nuclear power plant, stakeholders will have opportunities to participate at various points, including:

– the Environmental Assessment process, especially through a Joint Review Panel process;

– the Commission Tribunal’s public hearings on applications for licences; and

– the pre-application communications activities by licence applicants

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 34 TimeframeTimeframe considerationsconsiderations

Factors that may influence the duration of licensing process include:

— the completeness and comprehensiveness of information provided by the proponent/applicant;

— the Environmental Assessment process

— including completeness and comprehensiveness of proponent’s project description and Environmental Impact Statement

— the time required for the applicant to carry out activities; and

— whether any major safety issues require resolution

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 35 Striving to be best nuclear regulator in the world

Committed to ongoing improvements Clarity of requirements Capacity for action Communications

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 36 And, don’t forget!

The CNSC will not compromise safety

It’s in our DNA

APEGGA 2009 Annual Conference 09.04.24 - 37 nuclearsafety.gc.canuclearsafety.gc.ca