Remediation Challenges and Stakeholder Engagement: A Canadian Perspective

1. Remediation Challenges and Stakeholder Engagement:A Canadian Perspective Michael Binder President Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Presentation to the IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting Vienna, Austria 20 September 2012 nuclearsafety.gc.ca

2. 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. Celebrating over 65 years of nuclear safety! IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting 2012.09.20 - 2

3. 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 From cradle to grave IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting 2012.09.20 - 3

4. 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 Transparent, science-based decision-making IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting 2012.09.20 - 4

5. The Remediation Challenge • Clean-up of widely contaminated areas • Existing guidance: Good enough? • Canadian experience • The way ahead Radiation monitoring at a baseball diamond in Japan Post-Fukshima Another important lesson from the Japan experience IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting 2012.09.20 - 5

6. 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 Police officers at a checkpoint in Minamisoma, Japan. Short term and long term considerations IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting 2012.09.20 - 6

7. International Benchmarks • International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) • World Health Organization (WHO) • IAEA - Basic Safety Standards (BSS) Expert authorities need consistent advice to stakeholders IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting 2012.09.20 - 7

8. 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 We need to be ready for any accident IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting 2012.09.20 - 8

9. 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. Another important lesson: coordination and communication are the key IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting 2012.09.20 - 9

10. 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 Part of our post-Fukushima Action Plan IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting 2012.09.20 - 10

11. 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 On-going Dialogue IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting 2012.09.20 - 11

12. 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 Putting learning into action IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting 2012.09.20 - 12

13. 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 Regulatory clarity and stakeholder understanding are our priorities IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting 2012.09.20 - 13

14. 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 IAEA Let’s take advantage of these opportunities IAEA General Conference: Senior Regulator’s Meeting 2012.09.20 - 14