Hearings have begun into Bruce Power's application for a ten-year licence to continue operating its nuclear reactors.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission held the first portion of the hearings in Ottawa Wednesday, with Bruce Power officials presenting their case for the licence renewal of both Bruce A and Bruce B stations, along with CNSC staff providing their own report.
CNSC director general of power reactor regulation Gerry Frappier says commission staff are recommending the approval of Bruce Power's application.
"Bruce Power has made, and will continue to make, adequate provisions for protection of the environment, the health and safety of persons, the maintenance of national security and measures required to implement international obligations to which Canada has agreed," says Frappier.
The updated licence would also grant Bruce Power the ability to carry out its major component replacement program for six of the eight reactors, and the company was asked by commission members if the refurbishment work can be completed on schedule.
Bruce Power's vice president of nuclear oversight and regulatory affairs, Frank Saunders, says while they expect each portion of the life extension work to finish on-time or ahead of schedule, he points out the there is room for flexibility.
"We believe we can meet those [deadlines], in fact, we may even do better than that, but at any rate, there are several options if something interferes, you can move overlaps, you can do other things, you are not stuck with the dates you have there," says Saunders.
The CNSC's relicensing hearings resume in Kincardine on May 30 and 31, which will include presentations from members of the public, who have until April 16 to register to participate.