Executive summary

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), in accordance with its mandate under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, conducts environmental protection reviews (EPRs) for all nuclear facilities that could have potential interactions with the environment in order to ensure the protection of the environment and the health of persons. An EPR is a science-based environmental technical assessment conducted by CNSC staff.

This EPR report, prepared by CNSC staff, serves as an update to the EPR conducted as part of the BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. (BWXT NEC) licence renewal. The report presents scientific, evidence-based findings from CNSC staff’s ongoing assessment of BWXT NEC’s environmental protection measures and includes a review of documents related to the licensee’s facilities in Toronto and Peterborough, Ontario.

The Peterborough facility is situated on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and the traditional territory of the Williams Treaties First Nations. The Toronto facility is situated on Treaty 13 territory and the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, and now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Under BWXT NEC’s current operating licences, the Toronto and Peterborough facilities are authorized to produce natural and depleted uranium fuel bundles.

The EPR report focuses on items that are of Indigenous, public and regulatory interest, such as potential environmental releases from normal operations, and on the risks of radiological and hazardous (non-radiological) substances to the receiving environment, valued ecosystem components, and species at risk. CNSC staff also endeavour to focus on items related to the rights, values and culture of Indigenous Nations and communities when that information is shared with the CNSC.

This report includes CNSC staff’s assessment of the documents submitted in support of the mid-term EPR review, as well as, but not limited to, the following:

• engagement with Indigenous Nations and communities
• engagement with the public and other interested parties
• the results of BWXT NEC’s environmental monitoring, as reported in annual compliance monitoring reports
• BWXT NEC’s latest environmental risk assessments for the Toronto and Peterborough facilities, and for pelleting operations at the Peterborough facility (currently assembly operations only)
• BWXT NEC’s latest preliminary decommissioning plan for both facilities
• the results of the CNSC’s Independent Environmental Monitoring Program
• the results from other regional monitoring programs and/or health studies completed by other levels of government in proximity to the BWXT NEC Toronto and Peterborough facilities

Based on their assessment of BWXT NEC’s documentation, data and other supporting information, CNSC staff have found that potential risks from radiological and hazardous releases to the atmospheric, terrestrial, aquatic and human environments from both facilities are low to negligible, and that these releases are at levels similar to natural background. Furthermore, human health is not impacted by operations at either facility and the health outcomes are indistinguishable from health outcomes found in the general public. CNSC staff have also found that BWXT NEC continues to implement and maintain effective environmental protection measures that meet regulatory requirements and adequately protect the environment and the health and safety of persons. CNSC staff will continue to verify BWXT NEC’s environmental protection programs through ongoing licensing and compliance activities.

CNSC staff’s findings from this report may be used to inform recommendations to the Commission in future licensing and regulatory decisions, and to inform staff’s ongoing and future compliance verification activities. CNSC staff’s findings do not represent the Commission’s conclusions. The Commission’s decisions will take into account submissions from CNSC staff, the licensee, Indigenous Nations and communities, and the public, as well as any interventions made during public hearings on licensing matters.

For more information on the Toronto and Peterborough facilities, visit the BWXT NEC web page. A pamphlet based on this EPR report, with a public-friendly summary, is also available in Appendix A.

References used throughout this document are available upon request, subject to confidentiality considerations. Requests can be sent to er-ee@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca.

Related link

• Environmental Protection Review Report: BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada