BRUCE HEAVY WATER PLANT DECOMMISSIONING PROJECT

Bruce Heavy Water Plant Decommissioning
Environmental Assessment Study Report
Ontario Power Generation
Final Submission to CNSC
2.1.2 Option 2: Partial Decommissioning/Partial Mothballing and Selective
Demolition
This option involves decommissioning the Enriching Unit towers, flare stack, pipe racks and
other tall structures to ground level. The other unused buildings and structures on site would be
mothballed. The redundant underground services would be isolated but left in situ.
Removing the tall structures and the pipe racks would reduce the potential hazards from falling
objects and structural collapse. The visual environment would also be improved by the removal
of these landmarks. Leaving the buildings on site and continuing care and maintenance on them
would be costly and would not reduce the eventual demolition cost. This cost could be offset if
the buildings were reused. Some of the buildings on site are currently being used for other
purposes and it is not intended to decommission them at this stage. This option was ranked third,
equal to Option 4.
2.1.3 Option 3: Partial Decommissioning/Demolition to Grade – No Mothballing
This option involves decommissioning the Enriching Unit towers, flare stack, pipe racks and
other redundant buildings and structures to ground level. The redundant underground services
would be isolated but left in situ.
This option has the same safety benefits as Option 2 but with the added advantage that hazards
posed by the redundant buildings would be removed. It would also improve the environment and
reduce the care and maintenance costs. However, it would cost more in the short term to
implement than Option 2. Additionally, the underground services, concrete foundations, etc.,
which would remain after the decommissioning will eventually have to be removed. This option
received the highest score.
2.1.4 Option 4: Partial Decommissioning/Demolition to Grade, Excavation and
Removal of Underground Services
This option involves decommissioning the Enriching Unit towers, flare stack, pipe racks and
other redundant buildings and structures to ground level. The redundant underground services
would be excavated and removed.
Removal of all the redundant services would further reduce the hazards on site and enhance the
environment. This would be a lengthy task and could threaten the integrity of services that were
still required such that they might have to be re-routed. The cost would be higher and the
program longer than for Options 2 and 3. This option was ranked third, equal to Option 2.
2.1.5 Option 5: Complete Decommissioning/Option 4 Plus Removal of Foundations
and Support Piers
This option involves completely decommissioning the Enriching Unit towers, flare stack, pipe
racks and other redundant buildings and structures including their underground foundations and
2-3 December 2002