Status: Ontario Power Generation Deep Geologic Repository

Environmental Assessment and Site Preparation

Project Milestone

Responsibility
and Status

Date

Comment

CNSC and other Federal Authorities

Applicant

OPG submits a letter of intent to apply for a Licence to Prepare Site and Construct with a DGR project description (PDF) - in English only

Read Application for Licence to Prepare Site and Construct (August 2007) (PDF) - in English only

Completed by Ontario Power Generation (OPG)

December
2005

Notice of Environmental Assessment (EA) posted

Completed by
CNSC

January
2006

Federal Minister of Environment refers EA to a Joint Review Panel (JRP)

Completed by
the Minister of Environment

June
2007

Draft Envrionmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines and JRP Agreeemnt published for comments

Completed by
the CNSC/CEAA

April
2008

Comment period on draft Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines and JRP Agreement

Read comments

Completed

April to
June
2008

Opportunity for the public, Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders to review and provide comments.

Final EIS Guidelines and JRP Agreement published

Completed

January 2009

Finalized by the federal Minister of the Environment, in consultation with the President of CNSC, based on comments received.

Completed by MPMO

May 2009

An MPMO Project Agreement (source: CEAA) is an agreement between federal Deputy Ministers that outlines the process by which federal departments or agencies will carry out their particular roles or responsibilities during the federal regulatory review of a proposed major resource project. The agreement includes a timeline and schedule for the completion of the regulatory review with regular milestones to allow tracking of progress.    

OPG submits EIS with final documentation for Licence to Prepare Site and Construct to JRP (source: CEAA Web site)

CNSC acknowledges receipt of EIS and licence documentation from OPG (PDF)

Completed by
OPG

April
2011

Appointment of JRP

Completed by the Minister of Environment and the Governor in Council

January 24, 2012

Appointed by the Minister of the Environment and the Governor in Council, in consultation with the President of the CNSC.

Panel Orientation Session and Comment Period on Environmental Impact Statement and Licence Application for Deep Geologic Repository Project (Source: CEAA)

Expected from
JRP

February 3, 2012

Review of EIS, including public review

Expected from
JRP

TBD

Review period led by JRP, including conformity and technical review of the EIS by JRP, public, Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders, and opportunities for public comments. (6 months, not inclusive of time used by applicant to respond to JRP requests)

Notice of Public Hearings posted

Expected from JRP

TBD

JRP holds Public Hearings

Expected from
the JRP

TBD

To hear views about the EIS and the application for a Licence to Prepare Site and Construct from the public, Aboriginal groups, OPG and other stakeholders.

JRP submits Report to Federal Government

Expected from
the JRP

TBD

The Report is published and presented by the Minister of the Environment to the Governor in Council.

Federal Government’s Response to Report

Expected from
the Governor in Council

TBD

The Governor in Council responds whether the project may proceed or not.

JRP issues Licence to Prepare Site and Construct

Expected from
the JRP

TBD

If the Governor in Council’s response is that the project may proceed, the JRP could issue Licence to Prepare Site and Construct.

Operation

Project Milestone

Responsibility
and Status

Date

Comment

CNSC and other Federal Authorities

Applicant

OPG applies for a Licence to Operate

Expected from
OPG

2015

CNSC holds Public Hearings

Expected from CNSC

2017

CNSC holds Public Hearings on the OPG Application for a Licence to Operate and decides on the application.