Remediation Challenges and Stakeholder Engagement:A Canadian Perspective

Michael BinderPresident

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Presentation to the IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting

Vienna, Austria20 September 2012

nuclearsafety.gc.ca

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment; and to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

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Celebrating over 65 years of nuclear safety!

CNSC Regulates All Nuclear-Related Facilities and Activities

• Uranium fabricators and processing• Nuclear power plants• Radioactive waste management

facilities• Nuclear substance processing• Industrial and medical applications• Nuclear research and educational• Export/import control• Mines and mills• Uranium fuel

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From cradle to grave

Independent Commission

• Quasi-judicial administrative tribunal

• Reports to Parliament through Minister of Natural Resources Canada

• Commission hearings are public and Webcast

• Decision can only be reviewed by Federal Court

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Transparent, science-based decision-making

The Remediation Challenge

• Clean-up of widely contaminated areas• Existing guidance: Good enough?• Canadian experience• The way ahead

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Another important lesson from the Japan experience

Radiation monitoring at a baseballdiamond in Japan Post-Fukshima

Action in Major Nuclear Accident

• Urgent and early protective actions– Evacuation, sheltering and

instructions to take KI pills are based mainly on averted dose

• Longer term actions – Balance radiological risk and

social and economic disruption– Normally involve political decisions

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Short term and long term considerationsPolice officers at a checkpoint in

Minamisoma, Japan.

International Benchmarks

• International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)

• World Health Organization (WHO)

• IAEA - Basic Safety Standards (BSS)

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Expert authorities need consistent advice to stakeholders

Canadian Experience

• No serious accidents to date - hopefully, none will ever happen

• Experience: clean-up of legacy sites– Port Hope - political decision

• Uranium in soil – 23 (vs. 45) ppm– Mine closures

• Remediation work - Gunnar and Lorado

– Transportation – MCP Altona– Business non-compliance,

bankruptcy - Enviropac

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We need to be ready for any accident

Canada - Multilayered Federal Democracy

• Multiple levels of government / layers– Federal, provincial, municipal and operators

• Multiple players within / across each level– Example: CNSC, Health Canada, Public Safety

Canada, emergency management organizations in each province, etc.

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Another important lesson:coordination and communication are the key

Canadian Regulatory Framework

• Risk assessment approach for decommissioning and clean-up

• Need clarity on plan for post-accident recovery– Permanent relocation or resettlement – Clean-up of buildings, soil and vegetation– Managing waste and health surveillance – Information and education of affected communities

• Collaborative work underway for improved clarity and accountability

• Human factors always a concern

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Part of our post-Fukushima Action Plan

Constant Engagement with the Public and Stakeholders

• Set clear requirements and challenge myths

• Science-based, plain-language communications

• Public hearings with participant funding• Webcasting and social media

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On-going Dialogue

Canada – Communications Lessons Learned

• Crisis Web site – information ready for an emergency if one happens

• Spokesperson – Identified early, visible– 24/7 media challenge

• Regulator messaging - clarity, timeliness, consistency• Utilizing international support - i.e., IAEA

• Emergency management– Whole of government approach

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Putting learning into action

The Way Ahead

• Clarify post-accident recovery requirements– What is an acceptable level of risk?– How to best explain: 1 mSv (regulatory dose limit)

vs. upper bound of 20 mSv (reference level for living on contaminated lands after emergency)?

– Consult stakeholders• Consistent messaging from international

bodies• Public communication is critical – let’s prepare

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Regulatory clarity and stakeholder understanding are our priorities

Upcoming Opportunities

• International Experts Meeting on Decommissioning and Remediation after a Nuclear Accident• Vienna, Austria, Jan 28-Feb 1, 2013

• Canada hosting the IAEA 3rd International Conference on Effective Nuclear Regulatory Systems• Ottawa, Canada, April 8-12, 2013

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Let’s take advantage of these opportunities

IAEA