Public hearings begin this week on renewing the operating license for the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station.
NB Power, which operates the facility, is hoping to achieve what it describes as a “first in Canada.”
“We are seeking a 25-year license, which would take our operations to 2047,” Jason Nouwens, director of regulatory and external affairs at NB Power, told reporters during a recent briefing.
Nouwens said operating licenses were traditionally issued for five years, but the industry recently moved to a 10-year licensing period.
He said he does not believe that requesting a longer license will hinder the renewal process with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) in any way.
Nouwens pointed to a pre-hearing document written by commission staff that summarized their perspective on the generating station’s performance.
“The CNSC staff have very clearly articulated that they believe we run a very safe station and that they have confidence in us to be qualified and to maintain our commitment for investments and priority around safety.”
While NB Power is requesting a 25-year license, commission staff are recommending a 20-year extension instead.
An NB Power employee inside the control room of the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station. (Image: NB Power/submitted)
They noted that is the estimated timeframe where NB Power will have to decide whether to refurbish or decommission Point Lepreau.
Nouwens said they do not anticipate the commission will reject their application. If the answer was no, it would be based on a certain technical perspective, he said.
“We would want to understand the basis for that decision and then obviously we would try to remedy the concern or the issue they had or provide mitigating measures and corrective actions if there’s an issue that was a legitimate issue,” said Nouwens.
If the application were to be rejected, NB Power would explore “a number of scenarios” to replace Point Lepreau’s power output, according to spokesperson Dominique Couture.
But Couture noted there is no one-size-fits-all solution, adding that it depends on various mitigating factors.
Point Lepreau produces up to 705 megawatts of power and is the source of electricity for more than one-third of New Brunswick’s in-province energy requirements.
It accounted for 63 per cent of the total net generation from all stations during the second quarter of this fiscal year, according to the utility.
Public hearings will begin on Wednesday in Ottawa with both NB Power and CNSC staff expected to give presentations.
Community members will have the chance to intervene during part two of the hearing scheduled for May 11 and 12.
The final decision on Point Lepreau’s license will come before the end of June, said Nouwens.
