Canada Renews Western Waste Management Facility Operating License
The renewed license authorizes construction of new facilities, including storage buildings for low- and intermediate-level waste, in‑ground storage containers for intermediate-level waste, in-ground containers for heat exchangers, and storage buildings for used dry nuclear fuel.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has decided to renew Ontario Power Generation's waste facility operating license for the Western Waste Management Facility in Kincardine, Ontario. The license is valid from June 1, 2017, until May 31, 2027.
The commission held a public hearing on this renewal April 12, 2017, in Ottawa and considered submissions from OPG and 18 intervenors, as well as CNSC staff’s recommendations.
The commission is authorizing proposed construction activities with the requirement that OPG is to submit to CNSC staff an environmental management plan, construction verification plan, and the project design requirements; for part of the new structures to begin operation, the commission will have to accept OPG's commissioning report.
The facility is located on the shores of Lake Huron and is owned by OPG. The facility is responsible for the safe handling, management, and interim storage of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste from the Bruce A and B reactors and from the Pickering and Darlington nuclear generating stations. The facility also safely manages used nuclear fuel from Bruce A and B and refurbishment waste from Bruce A. The facility has operated since 1974.
The renewed license authorizes construction of new facilities, including storage buildings for low- and intermediate-level waste, in‑ground storage containers for intermediate-level waste, in-ground containers for heat exchangers, and storage buildings for used dry nuclear fuel.
The commission regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment.