2011 Information Updates

February 4, 2011

Highlights

  • The Commission has issued a transport licence and certificate to Bruce Power to ship 16 steam generators through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway to Sweden, where they will be processed to reduce their volume.
  • The Commission is confident that Bruce Power’s plan to ship 16 generators to Sweden can be completed safely and that the risk to persons and the environment is negligible.
  • The licensing decision was based on detailed plans provided by the project proponent and a thorough assessment of that plan by CNSC staff. Commission members also considered the interventions of nearly 80 interveners.
  • No licence would be issued by the Commission unless it is confident that the activity or project is safe for the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment.

On February 4, 2011, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced its decision to issue a transport licence and certificate to Bruce Power for the transport of 16 decommissioned steam generators to Sweden.

The authorizations provided are valid for a period of one year, from February 4, 2011 until February 3, 2012.

In granting the licence, the Commission is satisfied that:

  • the risk to the health and safety of the public and the environment posed by the shipment is negligible;
  • the potential environmental impacts of the proposed shipment were examined during an environmental review under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.
  • Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations requirements for a special arrangement are met or exceeded;
  • the proponent will be taking all necessary precautions and is fully qualified to undertake the activity.

In making its decision, the Commission considered information presented at a public hearing held on September 28 and 29, 2010, in Ottawa, Ontario.

During the hearing, the Commission received and considered CNSC staff recommendations and submissions from Bruce Power and 77 interveners.

The packaging and transport plan of the steam generators, the environmental impact of the activity, as well as the radiation protection, emergency and security measures were reviewed during the proceedings.

Following the hearing, the Commission requested additional information from CNSC staff and allowed additional time for supplementary written submissions from hearing participants.

CNSC staff’s supplementary submission was received on October 18 and 32 supplementary participant submissions were received by the November 22 deadline.

Further details on the Commission deliberations and decision can be found in the Record of Proceedings, including Reasons for Decision (PDF) and transcripts of the hearing, which are available on the CNSC Web site. Submissions by CNSC staff, Bruce Power and interveners can also be obtained by contacting the CNSC.

Going forward, Bruce Power must obtain the necessary permissions from the appropriate municipal, provincial, federal and international authorities before the shipment can be completed.

About the steam generators

Steam Generator
Image: Steam generator being transported near the
plant as part of the refurbishment

Steam generators transfer the heat from the primary heat transport system to a secondary system used to produce steam to drive steam turbines/generators, which produce electricity.

Initially non-radioactive, generators gradually become contaminated with radioactive particles during their service life.

Entirely contained inside the generators, the radioactive particles are insoluble metal oxides distributed thinly through the small tubes in which the coolant circulates to produce the steam.

Did you know?

Licences can be issued either by the Commission Tribunal or by Designated Officers (DO), who have been designated by the Commission.

The CNSC maintains oversight for more than 3,000 licences of which over 2,500 were issued by DOs.

These licences are for various medical, industrial, educational, waste and transport activities.

About the CNSC

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

Related links