Canada’s nuclear regulator has renewed the nuclear fuel facility licence held by BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc (BWXT) for plants in Toronto and Peterborough, Ontario.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission also decided to authorise the commercial production of fuel pellets at BWXT’s Peterborough facility.
BWXT, formerly known as GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc, will be allowed to produce fuel pellets at only one of its facilities at any time. Since pellet production is new to the Peterborough facility, BWXT will have to submit a final commissioning report to show its compliance with safety requirements before it can proceed with pellet production there.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission also decided to authorise the commercial production of fuel pellets at BWXT’s Peterborough facility.
BWXT, formerly known as GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc, will be allowed to produce fuel pellets at only one of its facilities at any time. Since pellet production is new to the Peterborough facility, BWXT will have to submit a final commissioning report to show its compliance with safety requirements before it can proceed with pellet production there.
CNSC said it had considered submissions from BWXT and 247 intervenors, as well as CNSC staff recommendations. BWXT applied for the renewals in 2018. The licences will be valid from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2030.
The Toronto facility produces natural uranium dioxide (UO2) pellets from uranium powder. The Peterborough facility receives the pellets and loads them into tubes that are sealed and assembled into fuel bundles.
