Point Lepreau Public Hearing Continues Tuesday

NB Power’s licence renewal application for the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station is garnering lots of interest.

The final part of a public hearing on the application is happening in Saint John starting Tuesday.

Three days have been set aside for the hearing, which is taking place at Delta Hotels Saint John.

Point Lepreau’s power reactor operating licence is issued by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), an independent federal nuclear regulator.

Denis Saumure, commission registrar, said they have received more than 240 submissions from the public.

“43 interveners have asked to make an oral presentation and the other interveners have chosen to present written submissions,” Saumure said in an interview last week.

“They will provide information that is valuable for the commission when it will be making its decision so the number of participants is certainly not a problem. We welcome participation in our proceedings.

Part one of the hearing took place in January when NB Power and CNSC staff had the chance to present their analysis and recommendations.

NB Power is seeking a “first in Canada” 25-year licence which would take the nuclear generating station’s operations to 2047.

CNSC staff, however, are recommending a 20-year renewal, noting it is the estimated timeframe where NB Power will have to decide whether to refurbish or decommission Point Lepreau.

Saumure said once this week’s hearing is complete, the commission will ensure they have all of the information they need before proceeding with deliberations.

“Because it’s a complex issue, I would expect the decision probably between three to six months following the hearing,” he said.

The hearing will also be available virtually via webcast.