Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

News Release

Environment Minister Announces Decision on Bruce Power Heavy Water Plant Decommissioning

OTTAWA, Ontario - November 6, 2003 - The Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, today announced that the decommissioning of the Bruce Heavy Water Plant in Douglas Point, near Tiverton, Ontario, does not require further assessment by a review panel or mediator under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The Minister referred the project, proposed by Ontario Power Generation Inc., back to the federal responsible authority, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), for appropriate action.

The Minister has determined that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects with the implementation of the mitigation measures outlined in the comprehensive study report. The Minister based his decision on the following considerations:

• the comprehensive study report, including the conclusions and recommendations, submitted by the CNSC;
• public comments received during the 30-day consultation period, and the Commission's response to the comments;
• the implementation of mitigation measures;
• the implementation of a follow-up program.

The purpose of the decommissioning project is to permanently retire the Bruce Heavy Water Plant from service as a nuclear facility licensed for the production of heavy water. All buildings and above-ground structures used for the production of heavy water will be removed or demolished. Below-grade piping and wiring will be left in place and the site will be restored to a state suitable for industrial purposes. Decommissioning activities are proposed to take seven to eight years to complete.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.

For more information:

Robert Deslauriers
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: (819) 953-9407
Fax: (819) 953-2891
E-mail: robert.deslauriers@ceaa-acee.gc.ca