Impact Assessment of NWMO's Nuclear Waste Project Launched
Posted: 12th January 2026
Impact Assessment of NWMO’s Nuclear Waste Project Launched
On January 5th the federal review of the NWMO’s nuclear waste project was initiated when the Initial Project Description (IPD) was posted on the Assessment Agency’s website and a 30-day comment period began. The deadline for comment is February 4th.
Initial Project Descriptions are the first document filed by a proponent in a federal Impact Assessment Process, and the information included must meet specific requirements.
During this first comment period, feedback on the Initial Project Description should focus on whether enough information was provided.
Of key importance: the NWMO is seeking to exclude the transportation of the high-level radioactive wastes through from the impact assessment process. In effect, that is excluding the concerns and voices of those who live along the route or use the transportation route from the federal review.
Next Steps
As part of the current phase of the impact assessment process – referred to as the “planning phase” – comments on the Initial Project Description are the first step. Following that, the Impact Assessment Agency will release a “summary of issues” that should reflect what they heard during the comment period, and the NWMO must respond to that summary. Following that a set of draft guidelines (the guidelines will serve as instructions to the NWMO for their preparation of the Impact Assessment Statement) and there will be a second and final comment period for this phase of the process.
REGISTER FOR JANUARY 12 WEBINAR TO SUPPORT YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS REVIEW. 6 PM CST, 7 PM EST, 8 PM ATLANTIC
UPCOMING NUCLEAR-RELATED COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES/DEADLINES
January 12
Bruce Power has two applications to amend the license for Bruce A and Bnuclear. The first is to increase the reactor power limits (the notice is HERE) and the second is to allow Bruce A and B to operate Units 7 and 8 pressure tubes beyond 300,000 effective full power hours (that notice is HERE). The deadline for participant funding applications is January 12th. The deadline for written submissions is May 6. The “hearings” will be in writing only in July 2026.
January 23
Deadline for funding to support participation in a mid-term update on BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc.’s facilities in Toronto and Peterborough. Submissions from CNSC staff and BWXT will be available February 25th. The deadline for written comments (and requests to present) is April 17 for a hearing the week of May 25th in Peterborough. The notice is HERE.
January 28
Deadline for written comment on the Regulatory Oversight Reports for the 2024 calendar year – for Canadian Nuclear Power Generating Sites, Uranium and Nuclear Substance Processing Facilities in Canada, Uranium Mines and Mills in Canada, Use of Nuclear Substances in Canada, and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Sites. The notice is HERE to read the documents and submit comments. February 4 is also the deadline to apply for participant funding.
February 9-13
Part 2 of the CNSC hearing on NexGen Energy Ltd.’s licence application to prepare a site for and construct its Rook 1 uranium mine and mill project. The notice is www.nuclearwastewatch.ca
Tel 1 855 225 8055 (toll free)