News Release
OPG Proposed Deep Geological Repository Referred to a Public Review Panel

OTTAWA - June 29, 2007 - The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, today announced that the proposed Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) for Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Wastes project in Tiverton, Ontario, east of Lake Huron, has been referred for an environmental assessment by a review panel.

"I am confident that a review panel is the most appropriate type of environmental assessment for this project," stated Minister Baird. "I believe that this public process will help Canadians to understand the potential impacts of this project."

The Minister's decision is based on a track report and recommendation made by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, a decision based on these recommendations is required to determine if the assessment should continue as a comprehensive study or be referred to a review panel.

The project is a proposal by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to prepare, construct and operate a deep geologic disposal facility on the Bruce Nuclear Site within the municipality of Kincardine, Ontario. The DGR would be designed to manage low and intermediate waste produced from the continued operation of OPG-owned nuclear generations at Bruce, Pickering and Darlington, Ontario.

Participant funding will be made available to the public to promote active participation in the environmental assessment process. Funding availability will be announced by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency at a later date.

For more information on this project, consult the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry under reference number 06-05-17520.

To obtain information on the panel review process, or to register as an interested party and to be kept informed of the panel's activities, provide a full mailing address, an e-mail address or a fax number to the following:

Steve Chapman
Panel Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-957-0294
steve.chapman@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

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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.

Media may contact:

Nicholas Girard
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, 22nd floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-957-0958
Fax: 613-957-0946
nicholas.girard@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

Document Reference Number: 5

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