Nuclear organization seeks decommissioning licence renewal

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This article was published 17/03/2024 (626 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The organization overseeing decommissioning efforts at Manitoba’s former nuclear facility is seeking to renew its contract with the federal government.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) has applied for a three-year decommissioning licence renewal with Canada’s nuclear watchdog. If approved, it will continue to manage operations at the former Whiteshell Laboratories.

The Pinawa lab site, located roughly 110 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, is in the process of being decommissioned and is home to two inactive nuclear reactors. The facility was subject to nearly $15,000 in fines and an eight-month halt of operations last year after failing to comply with the terms of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), which regulates the nation’s nuclear sites, intends to seek input at a public hearing before approving the licence renewal.

“During the hearing, the commission will consider oral and written submissions from CNL and CNSC staff related to CNL’s application. The commission will also consider oral and written interventions from members of the public, Indigenous Nations and communities, and other interested parties,” CNSC wrote in a notice dated March 4.

“Persons who have an interest or expertise in this matter or information that may be useful to the commission in coming to a decision are invited to comment.”

The hearing will take place in Pinawa between Oct. 23 and 24, although an exact time and location have yet to be determined, the notice said.

CNL’s current contract with the federal government includes a promise to conduct a “complete dismantlement and removal of the facility.”

CNL previously asked the commission to approve an amended decommissioning plan that includes an in-situ (leaving in place) approach, which would see the remaining reactor components and systems entombed in concrete.

The proposal requires the watchdog to amend the site licence and has sparked contention among some environmental groups and Indigenous stakeholders who are concerned about the potential environmental impact of leaving radioactive materials in the ground.

The approach was not previously assessed when the decommissioning licence was first issued.

An environmental assessment and discussions have been ongoing since 2016. Most recently, in April 2023, a technical review found the information provided by CNL about the plan was inadequate and the organization was asked to resubmit its environmental assessment documents.

The in-situ decommissioning plan will not be considered during the public hearing, the notice said.

The current licence for the Whiteshell site is valid until Dec. 31.

CNL has said it plans to complete the decommissioning of the Whiteshell site by 2027.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca