Environmental Assessment Study
Ontario Power Generation
November 25, 1999

Ontario Power Generation is now making draft chapters of the Environmental Assessment Study (EA) for the return to service of the Pickering A units available for advance public review and comment. In December, OPG will distribute the remaining draft chapters of the EA Report for advance public review and comment, prior to formal submission of a completed draft EA Report to the AECB in January.

The Atomic Energy Control Board has directed OPG to undertake a thorough environmental assessment as part of the licensing process for returning these units to service. Following OPG’s formal submission of the complete draft EA Report in January, the AECB and other authorities will carry out a detailed technical review and may require additional information from OPG. It is anticipated that the AECB will issue the draft EA Report, including additional OPG information, if required, to the public in late March for further comment.

During the last few months, OPG has been consulting with the AECB, the communities and other agencies on the planning and scope of the environmental assessment study. These preliminary draft EA chapters, dealing with the table of contents and introduction, the public and stakeholder involvement program and the description of the existing environment, are being distributed to the AECB Board and other interested parties for advance information and comment. These chapters will be updated, as additional information becomes available from ongoing field studies and consultation, and other chapters will be added as the assessment of potential environmental effects, mitigation measures, monitoring and other follow-up is completed.

"We are providing the opportunity for early regulator, stakeholder and public input on these draft chapters. Our intention is to give everyone as much time as possible to contribute to the EA Report," said Kurt Johansen, OPG’s Project Manager for the environmental assessment study. "This is another way, in addition to the "Open Houses" and various consultation meetings OPG has been hosting, for the public to get their issues on the table and see that they are addressed", he said.

Parties receiving the preliminary chapters include the Atomic Energy Control Board, other federal authorities, the provincial Ministry of Environment, the Towns of Pickering and Ajax, the Region of Durham and the Town of Pickering’s independent reviewer. In addition, OPG will be forwarding copies to key stakeholders such as the Community Advisory Council, Durham Nuclear Awareness and Pickering and Ajax Citizens Together. The public will also be able to review these drafts at local libraries and at the Pickering Nuclear Information Centre. In addition, these documents will be listed on the Public Registry established by the AECB for the project.

Ontario Power Generation is a major North American electricity generating company, based in Ontario. The company’s goal is to expand into new electricity markets, while operating in a safe, open and environmentally responsible manner.