Welcome Pickering B Refurbishment and Continued Operation Environmental Assessment

PURPOSE OF THIS THIRD ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTOPEN HOUSE

Inform you about the preliminary results of OPG’s EA studies on the potential Refurbishment of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station B units to extend the life of the station.Update you on the status of the EA we are conducting for this Project.Answer any questions you may have about the Project and the EA. Receive your feedback on our work to date and on the preliminary findings of the EA.

Ontario Energy Board

Shareholder – Policy/Strategic Direction

Generators/Bulk Transmission/Distributors

Regulators, Supply Management & Planning

Local Utilities and Distribution Companies

Consumers

(Other generators)

ONTARIO’S ELECTRICITY FRAMEWORK

PICKERING B NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION

Four CANDU pressurized heavy water nuclear generating units (5 to 8)Power output of 2064 MW; (enough to serve a city of approx. 1 million people)Base-load electrical power for the provincial grid (since 1983)Continue to operate safely for about another decade

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Minister of Energy Directive to OPG (June 2006)“Begin a feasibility study on the refurbishment of its existing facilities to review the economic, technological and environmental aspects of refurbishment. As part of this initiative, OPG will begin a federal environmental assessment on the refurbishment of the four existing units at Pickering B.”

OPG StudiesPlant Condition AssessmentsIntegrated Safety Review (Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission - CNSC requirement)Detailed cost estimates/independent third party reviewFunding optionsFederal Environmental Assessment (CNSC requirement)

OPG Business Decision re: Refurbishment ~ 2008

BUSINESS CASE ASSESSMENT

EA PROJECT DESCRIPTION PHASE I: REFURBISHMENT

Site and facility preparation in support of refurbishment Used fuel removal and transfer to irradiated fuel baysHeavy water removal and storageFuel channel assemblies, feeder pipes and steam generators replacement

Balance of plant systems upgradedRadioactive / non-radioactive wastes arising from refurbishment properly managedApproval sought from the CNSC to refuel and restart the reactor units

EA PROJECT DESCRIPTION PHASE II: CONTINUED OPERATION

Continued safe operation of refurbished reactors for approximately 30 years

Ongoing supply of 2064 MW of power to the Ontario grid

Ongoing maintenance and upgrades of refurbished units according to the life cycle management plans

Continued management of radioactive and non-radioactive waste

Construction of an additional used fuel storage building at the Pickering Waste Management Facility, if necessary

EA PROJECT DESCRIPTION:MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTESSteam Generators:

Interim storage – either at Pickering (PWMF) or at Kincardine (Western Waste Management Facility WWMF);Left intact or segmented, sealed and packaged for transportation.

Miscellaneous WastesLow-level refurbishment waste (eg. feeder pipes from the reactor) - off-site to WWMF;Some low level wastes - decontaminated on-site and released as scrap metal;Routine low-level wastes (eg. personal protective clothing) – off-site to WWMF.

Transportation of Refurbishment WastesUsing existing methods employed for 35 years;Wastes transported in CNSC-approved and licensed containers.

Fuel Channel Assemblies:Interim storage at PWMF site followed by transportation to WWMF.

Used Nuclear Fuel:Continued Interim storage at PWMF site

EA PROCESS OVERVIEWCNSC OPG Public Consultation

Legend:Blue Box/Solid Line = Tasks Completed

Green Box/Dashed Line = Tasks in Progress

• Reviews Project

Description from OPG

• Confirms EA requirement

• Determines EA type

• May delegate EA Study to OPG

• Issues draft EA Guidelines for public review

• Reviews Draft and Final EA Study Report submitted by OPG

• Finalizes Screening EA Report for Commission review

• CNSC determines acceptability of the EA

Prepares Draft EA Study Report and submits to CNSC

Prepares Project Description and submits to CNSC

Identifies potential interactions with the environment

Collects data, describes baseline environment and identifies environmental effects

• Assesses effects on environment

Considers mitigation measures and describes residual effects

Determines significance of any residual effects

Develops follow-up and monitoring plan

EA Project Newsletters

Open Houses

Stakeholder Meetings

Workshops

Toll-free Information Line 1-866-487-4600

Web Site www.opg.com/PickeringB

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• Finalizes and issues EA Guidelines for the project

• Prepares and issues draft Screening EA Report for public review

Prepares Final EA Study Report and submits to CNSC

Announces Project and start of EA Studies

EA ElementsSTUDY AREAS

BASELINE CHARACTERIZATION

INTERACTION MATRIX

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

CUMULATIVE EFFECTS

SIGNIFICANCE

EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENT ON PROJECT

MALFUNCTIONS AND ACCIDENTS

FOLLOW-UP AND MONITORING PROGRAMS

CONCLUSIONS

VECs

RESIDUAL EFFECTS

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

All environmental components were assessed and broken into three groups:1. Those components having residual effects which were

further analyzed for significance and cumulative effects;2. Those components having no residual effects but still

analyzed for cumulative effects, but not significance;3. Those components having no residual effects and not

analyzed for significance or cumulative effects.

AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT

Residual Effect:Loss of biota (e.g. fish, eggs, larvae) due to impingement and entrainment during both phases of the project

Significance:Effect limited to Site Study Area and no impact on overall fish populationNot significant

Cumulative Effect:Effect limited to Site Study Area No impact on overall fish populationNo predicted significant cumulative effect

Residual Effect:Low levels of tritium (below applicable criteria) are found in non-potable groundwater below Pickering B plant; however, surface water and off site groundwater are not adversely affected

Significance:OPG’s ongoing groundwater monitoring program is effective in implementing corrective action when requiredTritium levels are below CNSC approved levels in non-potable groundwaterNot significant

Cumulative Effect:Tritium is found in groundwater below Pickering siteNo predicted significant cumulative effect

HYDROGEOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

Residual Effect:Collective doses to workers carrying out refurbishment activities will be slightly higher than those associated with normal operations

Significance:Increase in collective dose above existing conditions during RefurbishmentAll applicable regulatory criteria will be metDetailed radiation protection planning will further reduce levelsNot significant

Cumulative Effect:Worker dose levels are regularly monitored and reportedAll applicable regulatory criteria will be metNo predicted significant cumulative effect

RADIATION AND RADIOACTIVITY ENVIRONMENT

Residual Effect: Increased local traffic at nearby intersections (i.e., Brock and Bayly, Sandy Beach and Bayly) during shift changes due to construction workforce at the site during Refurbishment

Significance:Low magnitude effect limited to a few local intersections and would occur largely during shift changesNot significant

Cumulative Effect:Project-related traffic increase primarily north of Pickering site and south of Hwy 401 Traffic increases from other identified projects will occur primarily north of Hwy 401Adverse effects are largely result of growth in background trafficUpcoming improvements to infrastructure will ensure effects are manageableNo predicted significant cumulative effects

TRANSPORTATION

Residual Effect:Reduced use and enjoyment of property along Sandy Beach Road and Waterfront Trail near the site due to increased traffic during Refurbishment

Significance:Low magnitude effect would occur largely during shift changes; not affecting the majority of residents or trail usersNot significant

Cumulative Effect:Further reduction of use and enjoyment of property and Waterfront Trail may occur because of other Pickering Nuclear site activities (Pickering A, PWMF) and expansion of Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP)4 to 5 year construction period associated with the WPCP expansion Project will serve to make longer portions of the trail less attractive. Adverse effects on residents not predictedNo predicted significant cumulative effects.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

SURFACE WATER RESOURCES

Residual Effect:Thermal plume from cooling water discharges will reduce during Refurbishment and return to existing levels during Continued Operation. Plume potentially affected by lake temperature increase due to climate change

Significance:The thermal plume does not cause a residual effect and does not have to be carried forward for significance analysis

Cumulative Effect:Thermal plume reduced during Refurbishment by 50% (approx. 5 km x 2 km) and returns to no greater than current levels during Continued OperationDuffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant being expanded with potential for additional nutrient loading to lake. Joint studies on effects underwayNo predicted significant cumulative effect

• ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS WITH NO POTENTIAL RESIDUAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

Atmospheric EnvironmentTerrestrial EnvironmentGeology and SeismicityVisual SettingPhysical & Cultural Heritage ResourcesAboriginal Interests

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS WITH POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

Socio-Economic Environment:Increased employment during Refurbishment and maintenance of existing jobsCreation of new business activity due to spending on payroll, goods and services during RefurbishmentIncreased municipal tax revenues due to new buildings and structures on the Pickering Nuclear siteIncreased involvement of energy-related sectors to Durham Region’s economy

There are no significant adverse environmental effects (residual or cumulative)

Adverse effects of the Project are considered to be minor and localized. Most occurred previously during the Pickering A Re-start and can be effectively managed

The Project is not expected to change what people do and enjoy about their communities and neighbourhoods

Positive effects are broad and regional in scope. The Pickering site will continue to contribute to local and regional economies and community stability

Continued involvement of people in the station’s activities and ongoing communications with residents will continue to ensure that Pickering B is not an issue of concern for the vast majority of residents

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTSCONCLUSIONS

TOPICS RAISED BY PUBLIC

Human HealthMalfunctions and AccidentsPopulation GrowthEmergency ResponseEarthquakesClimate ChangeMonitoring Programs

HUMAN HEALTH

World Health Organization definition of health:“ a state of complete physical, mental and social well being…”

MALFUNCTIONS & ACCIDENTS

Conventional Malfunctions and Accidents involve the inadvertent release of chemicals (with no release of radioactivity) that have the potential of causing harm to workers or the environment

Aircraft CrashBoiler Chemical Treatment spill to Lake Ontario

Radiological Malfunctions and Accidents involve radioactive components and a release of radioactivity that has the potential to cause harm to workers or the environment.

Drop of a retube waste container – pressure tubesLoss of heavy water to the lake

Nuclear Accidents involve serious damage to the fuel bundles and/or the reactor core and could result in an acute release of radioactivity to the environment

Release of water of steam generator blowdown (contents)Release to air through filtered air discharge system for severe accidents with fully operational containment systems

POPULATION GROWTH

Population growth is an important consideration for Emergency Response

Pickering population growth close to Pickering Nuclear, south of Hwy401 will be limited, with some condominium infilling and intensification around the GO Train and Hwy 401 interchangesDurham Region

Current population is 585,695 (2006)Projected to grow to 1.5 million by 2060Projected to grow at twice the rate as City of Toronto

City of TorontoCurrent population is 2,503,281 (2006) Projected to grow to 3.7 million by 2060

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Roles and Responsibilities for Emergency ResponseThe Province of Ontario has the overall responsibility for managing the off-site response to nuclear emergencies

A robust emergency plan is in place

Population growth projections are required to be factored into emergency response plans

Ontario Power Generation, Emergency Management Ontario and the regional and local governments work together with each organization having responsibility for a distinct area of the emergency response

Drills and emergency exercises are conducted on a regular basis

EARTHQUAKES

Dr. Gail Atkinson, a recognized expert in seismicity, prepared the Pickering B EA analysis and found:

Pickering B is seismically qualified to withstand earthquakes found in this region

Numerous scientific studies have determined that the ground faults in the Rouge River Valley result from glaciation rather than earthquakes

The Rouge River Advisory Panel Report (2000) concluded “there is no surficial evidence of a continuous fault”“The drilling tests in the Rouge River Valley demonstrates that faults at the surface…do not represent a source of seismic hazard in the region” (Godin et al. 2002)

CLIMATE CHANGE

Predicted changes (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) to the local climate include:

Air temperature increase by 2-5oC Lake Ontario water temperature increase by 3-5oCWater levels in the Great Lakes decreaseIncreased frequency and severity of storm events

Predicted effects due to climate are within current plant designparametersContributes minimal greenhouse gases to the environment

MONITORING PROGRAMS

OPG has an extensive and comprehensive ongoing monitoring program which will continueRadiological Environmental Monitoring Program (REMP) will continue routinely monitoring radiation and radioactivity in air, water, soil, groundwater, foodstuffs and fish throughout and beyond the RegionOngoing Pickering B monitoring programs on site include:

Radiation and radioactivity in airborne and liquid effluentsWorker radiation protection including exposure control and dosimetrySurface water discharges for non-radiological parametersGroundwater site monitoring

Consideration is being given to follow-up programs for:Transportation/traffic monitoring; signage and notifications for users of Waterfront Trail; public attitude research; etc.

NEXT STEPS

Date Activity Completed

June 2006 OPG submits Letter of Intent and Project Description to CNSC

September 2006 CNSC releases Draft EA Guidelines for Public Review

CNSC Public Hearing on Guidelines

CNSC approves EA GuidelinesJanuary ~ June 2007

OPG submits Draft EA Study Report to CNSC

Fall 2007 OPG submits Final EA Study Report to CNSC

Late 2007 CNSC releases Draft Screening Report for Public Review

CNSC holds Public Hearing on Screening Report

CNSC releases Commission Decision on EA

OPG makes business decision in 2008 on whether to proceed with refurbishment of Pickering B.

2008

YOUR VIEWS COUNT

Please ask questions and share your viewsFill out a comment form here, or mail it back to usContact us during the EA study –1-866-487-4600Submit your views through our Project Web site – www.opg.com/PickeringB

Study Areas

Three study areas –site, local, regionalSite and local study areas – greatest potential for effects to occur Regional study area – reflects socio-economic and cumulative considerations

Baseline Characterization

Current or existing conditions of the social and natural environment in each of the study areas

VECs

Valued Ecosystem Components are the aspects of the environment that are important from a scientific, social or economic perspective

Interaction Matrix

Chart identifying potential for each of the project works and activities to have an effect on any of the environmental components and sub-components

Environmental Effects

Changes to the baseline environmental conditions caused by the project or activities (quality, quantity, value, use, opportunities)

Residual Effects

The environmental effects that remain after applying mitigationMitigation is the way in which you can avoid or minimize environmentaleffects

Cumulative Effects

The effects of the project or activities in combination with those of other past, existing and future projects or activities

Significance

A determination of how important or serious an effect isSignificance is measured by:

Magnitude – size of the effectGeographic Extent – area where the effect is measurableDuration – how long the effect will occurFrequency/Probability – how often the effect occursReversibility – can the situation return to normal Physical Human Health – will an illness or injury be causedMental Human Health – will people worry about the effectEcological Importance – importance to ecosystemSocietal Value – value to community

Effects of Environment on Project

How aspects of the natural environment (earthquakes, tornados, climate change, etc.) can affect the project or activities

Malfunctions and Accidents

Upsets or incidents that can occur as a result of the project or activitiesFor EA purposes credible accidents are defined as those with a higher probability of occurring than 1 in a million

Follow-up and Monitoring Programs

Monitoring and other measurements undertaken during construction and operations of the project to check or confirm the predictions of the EA

Environmental ComponentsHuman HealthAtmospheric EnvironmentGeology, Groundwater and SeismicitySurface Water EnvironmentAquatic EnvironmentTerrestrial EnvironmentRadiation & RadioactivitySocio-Economic ConditionsTransportationPhysical & Cultural Heritage ResourcesAboriginal Interests

Durham Health Study

“A recent report on the health effects of radiation by Durham Region Health Department found no pattern to suggest that the Pickering and Darlington nuclear generating stations were causing health effects in the population” (The Regional Municipality of Durham Health Department, 2007)