PUBLIC REVIEW FOR THE DARLINGTON NEW NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PROJECT
November 16, 2009No CommentsSTART OF PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT AND THE APPLICATION FOR A LICENCE TO PREPARE A SITE FOR THE DARLINGTON NEW NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PROJECT
Ottawa, November 16, 2009 – The Joint Review Panel for the Darlington New Nuclear Power Plant Project announces the start of the six-month public review period on the adequacy of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Application for a Licence to Prepare a Site submitted by the proponent, Ontario Power Generation to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).
The EIS and the licence application are intended to examine the potential environmental effects of all phases of the project and address all requirements of a licence to prepare a site – the first in a series of licences required over the lifetime of a new nuclear power plant. The proponent was directed to prepare the documents in accordance with guidelines that were developed jointly by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the CNSC, and issued by the Minister of the Environment.
“The start of the public review period is a major milestone for this review as stakeholders and public participation are cornerstones of the environmental assessment and nuclear power plant licensing processes” said Joint Review Panel Chair, Mr. Alan Graham. “This comment period gives stakeholders and members of the public the opportunity to express their views to the Panel on whether the EIS and the Application for a Licence to Prepare a Site adequately address all the requirements that were identified in the guidelines.”
In addition, the Panel issued today preliminary instructions for the public review of the EIS and the licence application. The Panel may issue additional directions on procedures to ensure effective, efficient, fair and transparent process. During the public review period, the Panel will carry out its own review of the proponent’s EIS and licence application and may issue requests for additional information to the proponent. The Panel encourages comments and recommendations from outside parties outlining proposed information requests.
Please forward written or recorded comments by mail, e-mail or fax to the attention of either or both of the Panel Co-Managers, on or before May 17, 2010. This date is subject to change depending on the time required for the proponent to respond to additional information that may be requested by the Panel. All comments and proposed information requests received by the Panel will be treated as public documents and posted on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry Internet site for this project.
Energy, Environment, Infrastructure/Public Works