Darlington New Nuclear Power Plant Project (Archived)

Durham (ON)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Environmental Assessment Report
Government Response to Panel
Final Decision
Follow-up Program

Reference Number

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 07-05-29525

Environmental Assessment Type

Panel

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Transport Canada

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On May 17, 2007, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission considered taking action in relation to subsection 24(2) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act; Fisheries and Oceans Canada considered taking action in relation to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act and Transport Canada considered taking action in relation to paragraph 5(1)(a) of the Navigable Waters Protection Act.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has received a project description from Ontario Power Generation for the construction and operation of up to four new nuclear reactors at the Darlington nuclear site for the production of approximately 4,800 MWe of electrical generating capacity for supply to the Ontario grid. The Darlington nuclear site is located in the Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario. The scope of Ontario Power Generation's proposal includes preparation of the site, construction and operation of the new nuclear power reactors. Operations would involve activities required to operate and maintain the new reactor units, including management of conventional and radioactive waste. Ontario Power Generation is considering a range of reactor designs, but has not yet decided on a specific technology.

Environmental Assessment Report

Joint Review Panel Environmental Assessment Report - Darlington New Nuclear Power Plant Project (August 2011)
Darlington New Nuclear Power Plant Project Joint Review Panel Environmental Assessment Report SUMMARY

Government Response to Panel

Government of Canada's Response to the Joint Review Panel Report

Final Decision

In conformity with the approval of the Governor in Council, a decision was taken on May 8, 2012 and was that the authorities may exercise any power or perform any duty or function with respect to the project because, after taking into consideration the report of the review panel and taking into account the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, the authorities are of the opinion that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Follow-up Program

It was determined that a follow-up program to verify the accuracy of the environmental assessment and/or determine the effectiveness of any measures taken to mitigate the adverse environmental effects is required for this project. For further information or to obtain a copy of the follow-up program, please contact the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.