Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced its decision to renew, for a period of 1 year, the nuclear fuel facility licence held by Cameco Corporation (Cameco) for Cameco Fuel Manufacturing Inc. (CFM), located in the Municipality of Port Hope, Ontario, and on the traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishnaabeg, Wendat, and the territory covered by the Williams Treaties. The renewed licence authorizes Cameco to continue manufacturing uranium dioxide fuel pellets and nuclear fuel bundles at CFM. Along with the renewed licence, the CNSC announced its decision to accept Cameco’s proposal for a revised financial guarantee of $10.8 million for CFM. This decision follows a public hearing based on written submissions.
In making its decision, the Commission considered written submissions from Cameco, CNSC staff, and 7 intervenors. The CNSC also made participant funding available through its Participant Funding Program, and invited interventions from Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and stakeholders. One requestor received participant funding to assist with its intervention.
After reviewing all submissions, the Commission concluded that Cameco is qualified to carry out the nuclear fuel manufacturing activities that the renewed licence will authorize. It also concluded that Cameco will make adequate provision for the protection of the environment, and the health and safety of persons.
The record of decision is available on request to the Commission Registry at interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca. The decision will also be posted in both official languages at nuclearsafety.gc.ca at a later date. All submissions are available on the CNSC website.
The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment; to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public. The Commission is a quasi-judicial administrative tribunal set up at arm’s length from government, independent from any political, government or private sector influence.
Timeline
- Cameco applied for a 1-year licence renewal in December 2020. In March 2021, Cameco provided a submission to supplement its licence renewal application
- In April 2021, the CNSC made funding available through the Participant Funding Program to support Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and stakeholders in presenting their views to the Commission
- A panel of the Commission held a hearing based on written submissions in December 2021 (hearing submissions are available online or on request)
- The renewed licence is valid until February 28, 2023
Quick facts
- The renewed licence contains no changes to the authorized activities or terms and conditions of the previous licence, apart from revised environmental release limits. The revised environmental release limits were derived using a new, more stringent methodology
- This licence renewal authorizes Cameco to manufacture uranium dioxide fuel pellets and nuclear fuel bundles at CFM for a period of 1 year
- A financial guarantee ensures sufficient resources are in place if a licensee is not able to fulfill its decommissioning obligations
- The revised financial guarantee of $10.8 million was accepted. Cameco has been directed to provide the original financial guarantee instrument within 90 days of the issuance of the decision
- The Commission is satisfied that the 1-year licence term is appropriate, given Cameco’s plans to apply for a longer-term licence renewal in 2022
Source: CNSC
