Licensing Nuclear Power Plants in Canada Ensuring Safe and Environmentally Acceptable Operations
Nuclear Power the ultimate Energy Source It s been around a long time
Nuclear power closer to home Needs to be licensed
The Licensing Process Licensing a Nuclear Power Plant is a two step Process Step 1 The Environmental Assessment Process This step evaluates the proposed project : whether or not the project can be built, operated and decommissioned in an environmentally safe and publically acceptably manner Step 2 The Proponent licensing Process This step evaluates the capability of the licensee to build, operate and decommission the project in an environmentally safe and publically acceptably manner
Bruce Nuclear Power Station
The Environmental Assessment Process This step is designed to assess and evaluate the environmental and social aspects of the proposed project Nuclear Power Plants are designated projects under CEAA and must undergo a comprehensive Environmental Assessment involving extensive studies, environmental and safety analyses and public input and hearings. The CEAA requires a specific process be followed
The CEAA Process A very public and transparent assessment process following a number of steps Step 1 - Project Registration and Evaluation 1) The proponent registers the Proposed Project with CEAA. Posted on the internet. 2) CEAA advises all government agencies that may have a licensing/ permitting or funding role and they determine whether they will be responsible parties and participate in the EA process
The CEAA Process Step 2 - Project Scoping A new Nuclear Power Reactor would likely move directly into a panel review EA process. The Minister of Environment would appoint the Panel and set its terms of reference for the EA The Panel and the responsible agencies (CNSC and others) will visit the site, hold community meetings to evaluate local concerns. Based on this a Scoping Document prepared outlining areas to be assessed in the Environmental Assessment
The Panel Public Hearing Process
The Environmental Assessment Natural Environment Surficial and bedrock geology Seismic characteristics Groundwater chemistry and flow systems Surface water systems and biology Terrestrial systems and biology Atmospheric meteorology and climate Expected rates of change over life of project
The Natural Environment
The Environmental Assessment Socioeconomic Baseline Local population centers and size Employment statistics and levels of training, skills and income levels Baseline health and general welfare of local populations Unique cultural features of the area Aboriginal land claims and traditional knowledge Archaeological sites and potential for additional ones Local concerns about the proposed project
The Environmental Assessment Project Description Physical location of the project and associated infrastructure (roads, power lines, water, (. etc sewage Pre-feasibility engineering level description of all of the proposed project and infrastructure elements Description of all routine releases and under accident or upset conditions Required workforce for all project phases (construction, operation, and decommissioning) Conceptual decommissioning plan
The Environmental Assessment Analysis Justification Based upon the nature of the social and natural environment the project is to fit into a justification of the specific issues (scenarios) to be analysed must be made based on: An initial screening of all interactions to evaluate those of potential material concern ( effects (that could potentially cause adverse Issues of expressed public concern
The Environmental Assessment Quantitative Analysis Process Overlay and Quantitative Analysis of the Interaction of the Project with the Environment Effects of the physical footprint ( physical, Effects of releases (radiological, chemical routine and accidental Effects of changing employment and income Effect on ecosystem and public and worker health and well being Effects of Environmental variables ( climate change, earthquakes, floods etc) on the Project Cumulative effects of the project with other developments
EA Analytical Assessment Process Project Context and Scope Project Description Social and Physical Determine and justify factors for Assessment Significant Environmental Effects Likely? no Panel and Ministerial Review process yes Formulate and run Analytical models Interpret Results Significant Residual Environmental Effects Following mitigation Mitigate Effects Acceptance Rejection
Assessing the Significance of IMPACTS
Environmental Assessment Potential Mitigation This is an iterative process If an assessment result is deemed unacceptable against a range of criteria the project is: Modified in an attempt to reduce effects to an acceptable level Models re-run and data reassessed New assessment results compared to criteria Residual effects assessed for acceptability Endpoint is when residual Environmental effects deemed acceptable or not
Assessment of Results Assessment of significance of environmental effects Effluents meet all regulated discharge criteria and no adverse effects predicted Probability of accidents is acceptably low and risks acceptable All worker and public health criteria are met and ALARA Facility can be successfully decommissioned with today s technology Social effects on local communities deemed acceptable Effect on the natural environment acceptable Cumulative effects acceptable Effects of the Environment on the project acceptable
Environmental Assessment Public Review After all issues in the scope addressed and mitigation applied the project, including residual impacts it may cause, go to public review Environmental Assessment copied, summary translated and distributed for public review Series of public hearings on the EA held Report recommending acceptance as submitted Acceptance with conditions Rejection Submitted to Federal minister of Environment who makes decision on the project. Following completion of EA License application can begin
Environmental Assessment Summary The Environmental Assessment provides An overview of the project at a prefeasibility conceptual level Engineering details not required but demonstration of availability of engineering, social and environmental mitigation to achieve performance required The EA circumscribes the environmental envelope in which it is deemed that the project can be socially and technically safely constructed, operated and decommissioned
Issuing the Licenses
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is the agency responsible for licensing of nuclear facilities in Canada. Require a number of licenses to be issued over the life of the project A site preparation license A construction license ( years An operating license (reissued every 3-5 A decommissioning license A waste nuclear substance possession license (reissued) A site abandonment license As long as there are radioactive materials on the site above a threshold level the site must remain under CNSC license The License Submission Process
Site Preparation License Before any site development work can begin a license must be issued. The first license application must demonstrate : Using detailed engineering documentation that the project can be developed, constructed, operated and decommissioned within the environmental effects envelope approved during the EA process. The proponent has the management, safety and security systems and financial ability to ensure that the project can be carried out from start to finish in a safe manner.
Site Preparation License
Licensing Documentation Follows a Tiered Structure Facility licensing manual Safety Packages Engineering Packages Safety Elements Management Elements Detailed Engineering Packages Describing work to be undertaken
Licensing Documentation Safety Elements Safety Assessment Health and Environment Preliminary Decommissioning Plan Management Systems Radiation safety Environmental Safety TQM Human Factors Engineering Public Information Conventional safety Action Levels Emergency Management Security and Safeguards
Licensing Application The licensing application must include for each of these major areas: Policies that govern the management and application of the programs Management and operating procedures in these areas Qualifications of staff working in all areas and their reporting responsibilities Ongoing training programs for all positions Reference to all of the detailed procedures Provision for updates and change
Licensing Application Once application documentation prepared it is submitted to the CNSC for review Commission Member Document (CMD) is prepared by CNSC staff making a series of recommendations on issuing the license to the Commission A two day public hearing is then scheduled for license This lasts over a period of 6 months to allow time for adequate public review and comment Commission then issues a decision on whether the license should be granted or not and if granted any conditions that should be attached to the license
The License Licenses that are granted usually contain conditions that: Provide for checkpoints during the licensed activities CNSC staff must inspect progress, evaluate the performance of the licensee and allow the project to proceed or stop work until performance meets standards of the license Require the licensee to carry out and report on EA follow-up programs and adapt the project as necessary
Subsequent Licenses Construction A separate license must be issued for construction The public process is the same with the licensee updating the safety assessment and documentation as required If issued the construction license would also likely have conditions Following construction, a state of the environment report based on EA follow up programs would be required comparing predicted effects with measured effects for the construction phase Annual reports on health and safety are required thereafter
Construction License
Subsequent Licenses Operation The operational license would be renewed every 3-5 years During renewal environmental health and safety is reviewed State of the Environment reports must be submitted If there are changes the safety assessment must be updated Updates to the safety procedures, management programs and engineering must be approved by CNSC
Operational License
Decommissioning License A decommissioning Environmental assessment must be completed before a decommissioning license can be issued This is a public process Following acceptance of the decommissioning EA a decommissioning license can be applied for A similar licensing procedure must be followed
Decommissioning License
Waste Nuclear Substance Possession License Decommissioning may require highly radioactive components to remain on site for several decades to allow for decay This material must be licensed to ensure it poses no unacceptable risk and is safe and secure until removed to a permanent management facility. This license will also be renewed every 5-10 years pending satisfactory performance.
Abandonment License At some time in the future when activity had decayed such that reactor components can be safely moved to a permanent site the site may be totally cleaned If this is done and residual radiation levels are reduced to a point where they pose no significant residual risk an abandonment license may be applied for Upon issuance of an abandonment license the site may be released for alternate uses
Abandonment License