Draft Scoping Information Document - Ontario Power Generation

July 2011
Draft Scoping Information Document - Proposal by OPG - Refurbishment and
Continued Operation - Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, Clarington, Ontario
If the Commission concludes from the EA that the project is not likely to cause
significant adverse effects, taking into account the available mitigation measures,
subsequent applications (i.e., to amend the Power Reactor Operation Licence
and/or the Waste Facility Operating Licence) would be evaluated under the
provisions of the NSCA and its regulations prior to the Commission making any
licensing decision.
In addition to the EA, another element of refurbishment planning is that OPG is
conducting an Integrated Safety Review (ISR) of the DNGS in accordance with
CNSC RD-360 Life Extension of Nuclear Power Plants [Reference 3]. In cases
where the decision is made to implement life extension and an EA is carried out,
the results of the EA and the ISR are incorporated into an Integrated
Implementation Plan that describes the program for corrective actions and safety
improvement.
1.3 Project Coordination
Pursuant to the CEAA Regulations Respecting the Coordination by Federal
Authorities of Environmental Assessment Procedures and Requirements, the
CNSC has consulted with other federal departments to determine whether they are
likely to exercise a power, function, or duty under section 5 of the CEAA and/or
whether they possess expert assistance that could be used during the assessment,
in accordance with subsection 12(3) of the CEAA. The CNSC is a Responsible
Authority (RA) under the CEAA identified for this screening. DFO has declared
itself to be a likely RA because the continued operation of the DNGS, specifically
the condenser cooling water system, will require an authorization under section 32
of the Fisheries Act, for the destruction of fish by any means other than fishing
(e.g., impingement) if an application for authorization is received. Section 32 of
the Fisheries Act is a ‘trigger’ under the Law List Regulations of the CEAA.
Health Canada (HC), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and Environment
Canada (EC) have been identified as Federal Authorities for the purpose of
providing expert assistance to CNSC and DFO staff during the EA. CNSC will
act as the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator for this EA.
The CNSC also consulted the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (OMOE) to
determine whether there are provincial EA requirements under the Ontario
Environmental Assessment Act and other provincial legislation that are applicable
to the proposal. No provincial EA is required; however, CNSC staff will keep the
OMOE informed throughout the EA process.
1.4 Delegation of Technical Studies
The CNSC and DFO, in accordance with subsection 17(1) of the CEAA, delegate
to OPG the conduct of technical support studies for the environmental assessment
and the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to be submitted
to CNSC staff and DFO for review. When the EIS is accepted as satisfactory,
CNSC staff, with the aid of DFO, will prepare an EA Screening Report and
submit it to the Commission and DFO Habitat Team Leader for consideration and
decision.
e-DOC 3734740 - 2 -
CEAR 11-01-62516