the challenges of regulating an expanding nuclear … challenges of regulating an expanding nuclear...

The Challenges of Regulating an The Challenges of Regulating an Expanding Nuclear Industry in CanadaExpanding Nuclear Industry in Canada

Barclay HowdenBarclay HowdenDirector General, Nuclear Cycle & Facilities RegulatDirector General, Nuclear Cycle & Facilities Regulationion

CNSC CNSC

Presentation TopicsPresentation Topics

History of the CNSCHistory of the CNSCCNSC’sCNSC’s Mandate and VisionMandate and VisionCNSC Organization & Strategic CNSC Organization & Strategic FrameworkFrameworkRegulating Canada’s Nuclear Regulating Canada’s Nuclear IndustryIndustryCNSC Moving ForwardCNSC Moving Forward

History of the CNSCHistory of the CNSC

1940’s 1940’s –– 1950’s 1950’s In 1946, the Atomic Energy Control Act In 1946, the Atomic Energy Control Act created the Atomic Energy Control Board created the Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB)(AECB)AECB’sAECB’s 3 main functions: regulation, mining, 3 main functions: regulation, mining, and researchand researchJuly 1947 July 1947 –– first largefirst large--scale nuclear reactor in scale nuclear reactor in Canada was initiated at Chalk River Canada was initiated at Chalk River 1952 1952 –– Chalk River project became Crown Chalk River project became Crown Corporation, AECLCorporation, AECL


1950’s 1950’s –– 1960’s1960’s1957 1957 –– Canada was instrumental in the formation of Canada was instrumental in the formation of the IAEAthe IAEA1960 1960 –– the AECB issued health and safety the AECB issued health and safety regulations and established radiation exposure regulations and established radiation exposure guidelinesguidelines


1970’s to present1970’s to present1974 1974 –– AECB initiated greater emphasis on licensing AECB initiated greater emphasis on licensing procedures and inspection standardsprocedures and inspection standards1980’s 1980’s –– first public involvement in Board’s first public involvement in Board’s decisiondecision--making processmaking processBy 1999, AECB staff had increased to more than By 1999, AECB staff had increased to more than 400 professional members400 professional membersMay 31, 2000 May 31, 2000 –– the CNSC was created with the the CNSC was created with the implementation of the Nuclear Safety & Control implementation of the Nuclear Safety & Control Act, replacing the AECB Act, replacing the AECB

The CNSC’s Mandate and VisionThe CNSC’s Mandate and Vision

MandateMandateTo regulate the use of nuclear energy and materials To regulate the use of nuclear energy and materials

to protect the health, safety, security and the environment to protect the health, safety, security and the environment and to respect Canadaand to respect Canada’’s international commitmentss international commitments

on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

VisionVisionTo be one of the best nuclear regulators in the worldTo be one of the best nuclear regulators in the world

The CNSC: Two OrganizationsThe CNSC: Two Organizations

CNSC

StaffCommission

The CommissionThe CommissionEstablished under the Established under the NSCANSCAQuasiQuasi--judicial administrative judicial administrative tribunaltribunalUp to seven membersUp to seven membersCNSC President is fullCNSC President is full--time time MemberMemberConducts public Conducts public hearingshearingsMakes licensing decisionsMakes licensing decisions

CNSC Staff CNSC Staff OrganizationOrganization

The President is the CEO of the Staff The President is the CEO of the Staff Organization Organization 565 employees in HQ, site and regional offices565 employees in HQ, site and regional offices

Five principal teamsFive principal teams::oo PresidentPresident’’s Offices Officeoo OperationsOperationsoo Communications andCommunications and

Regulatory AffairsRegulatory Affairsoo International AffairsInternational Affairsoo Corporate ServicesCorporate Services

How the CNSC OperatesHow the CNSC Operates

In 2003In 2003--04, in support of its Strategic Framework, the 04, in support of its Strategic Framework, the CNSC developed a Logic Model.CNSC developed a Logic Model.This Logic Model is used by the CNSC to illustrate how This Logic Model is used by the CNSC to illustrate how it makes a difference in the lives of Canadians, it makes a difference in the lives of Canadians, providing a roadmap from its activities to its outcomes. providing a roadmap from its activities to its outcomes.

The CNSC Logic Model The CNSC Logic Model –– Results for Canadians:Results for Canadians:

Stakeholder Stakeholder RelationsRelations

Cooperative Cooperative UndertakingsUndertakings

ComplianceComplianceLicensing & Licensing & CertificationCertification

Regulatory Regulatory FrameworkFramework

Uranium Mining in CanadaUranium Mining in CanadaOperational MinesOperational Mines

There are 6 uranium mining projects in the Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan.

Uranium ore from these mines are processed either at an onsite or local offsite mill. Average ore grade can range up to 24.7 %.

The end product (uranium oxide or yellowcake) is transported by truck down to Saskatoon, and then continues on to other sites for refining or processing.

McArthur River McArthur River -- Mine SiteMine Site

Reaming:Reaming:

First waste rockFirst waste rock

to shaft, then oreto shaft, then ore

to grinding area.to grinding area.

Raisebore Mining MethodRaisebore Mining Method

ReamerReamer

Ore Collection Chute for Handling Ore Grade Raisebore COre Collection Chute for Handling Ore Grade Raisebore Cu

Remote ControlledRemote ControlledFront End LoaderFront End Loader

Port RadiumPort Radium-- 1940’s1940’s

The old fashioned way of miningThe old fashioned way of mining

McClean Lake Open Pit MineMcClean Lake Open Pit Mine

McClean Lake McClean Lake -- Sue MiningSue Mining

Site Security Site Security –– Resident Guard for Resident Guard for Northern Saskatchewan…Northern Saskatchewan…

Blind River RefineryBlind River Refinery

Port Hope Conversion FacilityPort Hope Conversion Facility

UF6 Cylinder UF6 Cylinder –– Conversion FacilityConversion Facility

ZircatecZircatec Facility, Port HopeFacility, Port Hope

Fuel BundleFuel BundleProduct of Product of ZircatecZircatec FacilityFacility

Bruce Power SiteBruce Power Site

Used Fuel Dry Storage Building at WWMFUsed Fuel Dry Storage Building at WWMF

CluffCluff Lake Lake –– Decommissioning of MillDecommissioning of MillMillMill Complex Complex –– PrePre--20002000

CCD Thickener RemovalCCD Thickener Removal

Mill Phase II Mill Phase II -- Wall Coming DownWall Coming Down

Mill Buildings Mill Buildings -- Summer 2005Summer 2005

Rio Rio AlgomAlgom Quirke Mine Site Quirke Mine Site Elliott Lake Elliott Lake –– Main DamMain Dam

Rio Rio AlgomAlgom Panel SitePanel SiteElliott Lake Elliott Lake –– Effluent Treatment PondEffluent Treatment Pond

DensionDension Mine SiteMine SiteElliott Lake Elliott Lake –– Capped South West RaiseCapped South West Raise

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL)Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL)

The Business of Regulating Canada’s The Business of Regulating Canada’s Nuclear IndustryNuclear Industry

Two accountability principles make up the Two accountability principles make up the basis of basis of CNSC’sCNSC’s regulatory philosophy:regulatory philosophy:

Licensees are responsible for the protection of Licensees are responsible for the protection of health, safety, security, and the environment and health, safety, security, and the environment and respecting Canada’s international commitments.respecting Canada’s international commitments.The CNSC is responsible for regulating licensees, The CNSC is responsible for regulating licensees, assessing whether licensees are compliant with assessing whether licensees are compliant with NSCA, regulations, and international obligations.NSCA, regulations, and international obligations.

Regulating Canada’s Nuclear IndustryRegulating Canada’s Nuclear Industry

Safety FirstSafety First“Our job is safety, our means is regulation” “Our job is safety, our means is regulation” Linda Keen, President and CEO of the CNSCLinda Keen, President and CEO of the CNSCThe new regulatory framework builds on:The new regulatory framework builds on:

a technologya technology--neutral approach to regulation and neutral approach to regulation and facility design;facility design;advances in safety; andadvances in safety; andthe experiences of the international regulatory the experiences of the international regulatory community.community.


LicensingLicensingThe CNSC administers a comprehensive licensing The CNSC administers a comprehensive licensing system for the use of nuclear energy in Canadasystem for the use of nuclear energy in CanadaThe CNSC has the broadest range of licensees in The CNSC has the broadest range of licensees in the worldthe worldLicensees have a direct and vested interest in Licensees have a direct and vested interest in achieving a level of safety that earns the confidence achieving a level of safety that earns the confidence of Canadiansof CanadiansInspection activities are carried out to ensure high Inspection activities are carried out to ensure high levels of compliance by licensees within the CNSC levels of compliance by licensees within the CNSC regulatory frameworkregulatory framework

Regulating Canada’s Nuclear IndustryRegulating Canada’s Nuclear IndustryChallengesChallenges

Despite increased attention on new build and Despite increased attention on new build and refurbishment projects, refurbishment projects, CNSC’sCNSC’s priorities continue to priorities continue to be the safety and security of existing facilitiesbe the safety and security of existing facilitiesVast majority of CNSC work pertains to ongoing Vast majority of CNSC work pertains to ongoing licenceslicences, so requirements remain for staff to provide , so requirements remain for staff to provide regulatory oversightregulatory oversightAdditional pressures for CNSC to respond when new Additional pressures for CNSC to respond when new market opportunities arise market opportunities arise Increased public scrutiny of the CNSCIncreased public scrutiny of the CNSCSpecialized people to meet regulatory obligations are Specialized people to meet regulatory obligations are in short supply within the nuclear sectorin short supply within the nuclear sector


Current DevelopmentsCurrent DevelopmentsSubstantial progress on the regulatory framework Substantial progress on the regulatory framework under the NSCAunder the NSCAIn the last year, government has approved new In the last year, government has approved new security regulations security regulations –– the CNSC established a new the CNSC established a new Regulatory Policy Committee Regulatory Policy Committee CNSC has adopted a common consultation process CNSC has adopted a common consultation process Able to benchmark Able to benchmark CNSC’sCNSC’s regulatory framework regulatory framework

against best practices internationally and nationallyagainst best practices internationally and nationally


More Current DevelopmentsMore Current DevelopmentsMoving forward on new build applications from OPG Moving forward on new build applications from OPG and Bruce Powerand Bruce PowerContinued work on new build licensing with March Continued work on new build licensing with March 2007 release of 2007 release of Supplementary Information on Design Review Supplementary Information on Design Review Process for New BuildProcess for New BuildMarch 2007 release of March 2007 release of Licensing Process for New Uranium Licensing Process for New Uranium Mines and Mills in CanadaMines and Mills in CanadaCNSC recently established 2 new internal organizations:CNSC recently established 2 new internal organizations:

New Reactor Licensing Division New Reactor Licensing Division –– single point of contact for single point of contact for new build reactorsnew build reactorsEnvironmental Assessment and Protection Directorate Environmental Assessment and Protection Directorate ––oversee environmental assessment and compliance approachoversee environmental assessment and compliance approach

CNSC Commitment to CNSC Commitment to Regulatory ImprovementsRegulatory Improvements

Continued commitment to an open and Continued commitment to an open and transparent regulatory processtransparent regulatory processEffective OPEX sharing within the industryEffective OPEX sharing within the industryOngoing and systematic regulatory oversight of Ongoing and systematic regulatory oversight of licensees’ performancelicensees’ performanceSystematic regulatory assessment of licensees’ Systematic regulatory assessment of licensees’ safety culture, quality management and safety culture, quality management and compliancecomplianceCNSC adopting modern management systemsCNSC adopting modern management systems

CNSC Improvement InitiativesCNSC Improvement Initiatives

CNSC completed a selfCNSC completed a self--assessment against IAEA assessment against IAEA GSGS--RR--1 requirements in 20061 requirements in 2006Corrective Action Plan led by senior executives Corrective Action Plan led by senior executives on Quality Councilon Quality Council

Quality Management SystemQuality Management SystemIntegrated Planning and Performance ManagementIntegrated Planning and Performance ManagementLicensingLicensingComplianceComplianceIntegrated IM/IT Integrated IM/IT Leadership developmentLeadership development

IRRS Mission requested for 2008IRRS Mission requested for 2008

CNSC Moving ForwardCNSC Moving Forward

Improved industry Improved industry performanceperformanceRefurbishment and extended Refurbishment and extended operation of several facilities operation of several facilities across Canadaacross CanadaFuture opportunities for new Future opportunities for new facilities within Canadafacilities within Canada

CNSC Moving ForwardCNSC Moving Forward

Clear and sustained growth in the industry will mean an Clear and sustained growth in the industry will mean an increase in workloadincrease in workloadStreamline regulatory process in anticipation of new Streamline regulatory process in anticipation of new projects for processing facilities, waste facilities, projects for processing facilities, waste facilities, uranium mines, refineries and reactorsuranium mines, refineries and reactorsA renewed commitment to working with existing A renewed commitment to working with existing facilities such as, facilities such as, AECL’sAECL’s Chalk River LaboratoriesChalk River LaboratoriesExpansion of medical and industrial activity Expansion of medical and industrial activity Stronger controls over radioactive sources Stronger controls over radioactive sources

In SummaryIn Summary

The CNSC will continue to:The CNSC will continue to:provide proactive industry leadershipprovide proactive industry leadershipensure a strong regulatory process that works ensure a strong regulatory process that works effectively and efficientlyeffectively and efficientlycontinue outreach work with licensees, stakeholders continue outreach work with licensees, stakeholders and the public and the public protect the health, safety, security, and environment protect the health, safety, security, and environment of Canadiansof Canadians

Questions?Questions?

the challenges of regulating an expanding nuclear … challenges of regulating an expanding nuclear...

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