News Releases

CNSC announces decisions on the EA Screening Report and the licence amendment for GE-Hitachi

10-02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2010

Following a one-day public hearing, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced today its decision to approve the Environmental Assessment Screening Report (EASR) for the GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc.’s (GE­-Hitachi) Low Enriched Uranium (enrichment less than 5% U-235 by weight) Fuel Bundle Production Project.During that same hearing, the Commission also amended GE-Hitachi’s Nuclear Fuel Facility Operating Licence to authorize such a production at its Peterborough facility in Ontario. The amended licence remains valid until December 31, 2010.

The Commission, in making its decision, considered information presented at a public hearing held in Ottawa, Ontario, on January 13, 2010. During the public hearing, the Commission received written submissions and heard oral presentations from CNSC staff and GE-Hitachi.

The EA Guidelines for the development of the EA Impact Statement (EAIS) were approved by the Commission on July 8, 2008, and the EASR was prepared from the review of the EAIS and the technical studies submitted by GE-Hitachi. The Commission is of the opinion that the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act for an amendment to the GE-Hitachi’s Nuclear Fuel Facility Operating Licence to authorize Low Enriched Uranium Fuel Bundle Production at its Peterborough facility have been fulfilled.

The Commission is also satisfied that the licensee meets the requirements of section 24 of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. The Commission concluded that GE-Hitachi is qualified to carry out the activities that will be permitted under the amended licence and that it will make adequate provision for the protection of the environment, the health and safety of persons, and the maintenance of national security and measures required to implement international obligations to which Canada has agreed.

With this decision, the Commission directs GE-Hitachi to implement a Nuclear Criticality Safety Program before the introduction of any enriched uranium in the facility.

The Record of Proceedings, including Reasons for Decision, is available upon request to the Commission Secretariat. It will be available, in both official languages, on the CNSC Web site at a later date. Transcripts of the hearing are available on the CNSC Web site at www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca, or by contacting the CNSC. The webcast of the hearing is archived on the same site for a period of 90 days.

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment and to respect Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Contact:
Sophie Gingras
Commission Secretariat 
613-947-0247
1-800-668-5284 
interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca