NPD Closure Project - Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

NPD Closure Project
Preferred Technique
Alternative means for decommissioning
A number of options that have been considered
for this project.
• In-situ decommissioning where grouting will
isolate the source term (i.e., reactor systems
and components) inside the below grade
structure and systems to allow for continued
radioactive decay.
• Full dismantling and removal of all systems,
structures and components for interim
storage at an alternate CNL site until final
disposal options are available.
• Partial removal of the source term for interim
storage at an alternate CNL site until final
disposal options are available. The remaining
facility systems, structures and components
will remain in-situ.
• Continue with a deferred decommissioning
approach, which includes maintaining NPD in
the Storage with Surveillance phase to allow
for further radioactive decay.
Why in-situ decommissioning?
In-situ decommissioning has been selected as the
decommissioning technique as it provides the following
advantages:
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Reduced risk for radiological and industrial hazards
exposure to workers
Reduced transport/waste handling risks to the
public and environment
Effective reduction of the nuclear liability and
eliminating interim waste storage
Eliminates the risk associated with multiple
handling of waste packages to and from interim
storage and final disposal
Lowest cost option for the Canadian taxpayer
Allows for early release of non-impacted NPD
property
The disadvantage is that there is additional long-term
monitoring of the impacted area.
NPD Closure Project
Project Description
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5
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1
Turbine Hall
2
Reactor Hall
3
Boiler Room
4
Reactor Vault
5
Spent Fuel Bay
Project Objective
To safely decommission NPD ensuring the prompt
reduction of Canadian long-term legacy liabilities
Key Steps
In-situ decommissioning activities are:
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End State
Assembly and operation of the grout batch mixing plant
Grouting of below grade structures
Removal of above grade structures to be used as backfill
Installation of concrete cap and engineered barrier over the grouted area
Final site restoration
Preparation for long-term care and maintenance activities
NPD Area Map
Environmental Footprint
<1% of total area
The Nuclear Power Demonstration (NPD) reactor began
operations in 1962 and for 25 years served as an important
training facility for future reactor engineers and operators. In
1988, following permanent shutdown of the reactor, removal
of the fuel and power generating equipment from the site,
Ontario Hydro transferred the responsibility of monitoring and
licencing of NPD to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL).
NPD Closure Project
Timeline
While AECL still owns the NPD site, Canadian Nuclear
Laboratories is responsible for the facility, which is presently in
the Storage with Surveillance phase of decommissioning.
The NPD site currently consists of a limited number of
structures, including the main reactor building, a diesel
generator, a guardhouse and a ventilation stack. Several
temporary structures are being added to support the
decommissioning project
1955 - 1957
1957-1962
1962-1988
1988-1993
Design
Construction
Operation
Decommissioning:
Shutdown
1993-2018
Decommissioning:
Storage with
surveillance
2018-2020
EA
Process
&
CNSC
Decision
Decommissioning:
Final
2020 - Beyond
Institutional
Controls
Valued Components
NPD Closure Project
Valued Components (VC) are defined as
being any part of the environment that is
considered important by the proponent,
the public, scientists and government
involved in the assessment process.
Species at Risk
Ottawa River
Wetlands
Migratory Birds
Fish Species
Water Quality
VC identification followed a systematic
approach to identify values in five
categories representing a cross section
of environmental values: 1) federal legal
requirements, 2) proposed federal legal
requirements, 3) provincial requirements,
4) regionally significant values, and 5)
values proposed by the public.
After a review of historical reports, data
provided by the Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources and Forestry, data available in
the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario,
the NatureServe database, several in-house
surveys, and a round of public consultation
we have identified 119 potential and 26
confirmed VCs to date.
Feedback
What components are
valuable to you?
VC Identified for the NPD Closure Project
•Fish Species
•Species at Risk
•Migratory Birds
•Ottawa River
•Water Quality
•Wetlands
Contact Us!
For more information or to share your thoughts on the Valued Components
related to this project, contact us at communications@cnl.ca, call 1- 800-3646989 or visit www.cnl.ca/NPD.
What is an
Environmental
Assessment?
NPD Closure Project
EA Start Date: May 5, 2016
CEAR Reference Number: 80121
Location: Rolphton, Ontario
Environmental assessment is a process to
predict environmental effects of proposed
projects before they are carried out.
Both the Near Surface Disposal Facility,
and the NPD Closure Project require an
Environmental Assessment (EA) under
the Canadian Environmental Assessment
Act (CEAA 2012). The Canadian Nuclear
Safety Commission (CNSC) is the authority
responsible for making the Environmental
Assessment Decision on whether the
project may proceed.
Near Surface Disposal Facility
EA Start Date: May 5, 2016
CEAR Reference Number: 80122
Location: Chalk RIver, Ontario
Purpose:
• To identify the possible adverse
environmental effects of a proposed
project.
• To determine mitigation measures
to minimize adverse environmental
effects.
• To ensure that opportunities are
provided for meaningful public
participation.
Contact Us!
For more immediate information or
to stay informed on public activities
related to the projects contact us at
communications@cnl.ca, call 1- 800364-6989 of visit www.cnl.ca.
Canadian Nuclear
Laboratories:
Project Description
•Overview of project and
surrounding environment
•Submitted to CNSC on
2016 April 1
Canadian Nuclear
Safety Commission:
Decision on Project
Scope
•CNSC reviews the Project
Description
•Project Description and
guidelines posted for
public review (2016 May)
•CNSC Commission
considers comments
received from public and
makes a decision on the
scope of project.
CNL:
CNSC Staff:
CNSC COMMISSION:
Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS)
Environmental
Assessment Report (EA)
Decision: Can the
project proceed?
•Prepares EIS in accordance
with guidance provided by
the CNSC
•Evaluates environmental
impact of project (e.g.
impact on air, water,
Species at Risk, long-term
performance, alternatives)
•Determines mitigation
measures to minimize
environmental impacts
•Involves public and
Aboriginal engagement
•Target date for EIS to
reach the CNSC: 2017
Spring
•EIS review (CNSC and
federal authorities)
•CNSC staff summarize EIS
into an Environmental
Assessment (EA) report
•Public review period
•CNSC Commission
reviews EA report
•Makes a decision on
whether the project may
proceed
•Determine required
mitigations, follow
monitoring and reporting
requirements