The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has presented it’s report card on Bruce Power’s A and B facilities for 2007.
A public information session was held last night in Kincardine, but only eight people attended.
Bruce A got “A” scores for it’s Occupational Health and Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Bruce A got “C” grades for training, design, and maintenance.
Bruce A got “B” scores for the rest of its safety categories, including Quality Management, Operations, and Radiation Protection.
Ken Lafreniere, Director of the Bruce Regulatory Program Division says steps are taken to improve safety areas with “C” grades.
He says no nuclear power plant in Canada has ever received a grade lower than “C”.
Bruce B’s scores were higher, again receiving “A” for emergency preparedness and occupational health and safety. All other categories got a “B” score.
Overall, the Commission says both Bruce A and B operated safely in 2007 and met it’s licence requirements in all safety areas.
Radiation emissions were well below legal limits.
Lafreniere says inspections can be done by commission staff 24 hours a day and specialized inspections can be done by staff from Ottawa.
Lafreniere says areas inspectors look at include quality management, fire protection, and project management.
Lafreniere says Bruce Power is a responsible licensee and they are properly discharging their obligation to safety.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s role in the proposed Deep Geological Repository and four new reactors at the Bruce site was also discussed.
Lafreniere says the Commission’s role is to issue sighting, construction, and operating licences for the facilities.
He says the process is also subject to the federal Environmental Assessment Act.
The Commission’s Joint Review Panel is currently holding a six month review of the Environmental Impact Statement and licence application to prepare the site of the new reactors.
A set of guidelines from the Environmental Assessment Process is currently being developed for the Deep Geological Repository that would house low and intermediate level nuclear waste.
The Commission was later than usual presenting its findings because of the federal election campaign when federal agencies have to cease public activities.
