Darlington New Nuclear Project timeline

Ontario Power Generation applies for a licence to prepare site (PDF)

Notice of environmental assessment (EA)

Read Project Description (PDF)

Additional information was required to complete the project description. This was completed in 2007 and allowed the environmental assessment to start.

Federal Minister of Environment refers EA to a joint review panel (JRP)

Draft environmental impact statement (EIS) Guidelines and JRP agreement published for comments

Comment period on draft environmental impact statement guidelines and JRP agreement

Opportunity for the public, Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders to review and provide comments.

Final EIS guidelines and JRP Agreement published

Finalized by the federal Minister of the Environment, in consultation with the President of CNSC, based on comments received.

An MPMO Project Agreement is an agreement between federal Deputy Ministers that outlines the process by which federal departments or agencies will carry out their particular roles or responsibilities during the federal regulatory review of a proposed major resource project. The agreement includes a timeline and schedule for the completion of the regulatory review with regular milestones to allow tracking of progress.

Ontario Power Generation submits the EIS with documentation
for licence to prepare site to the CNSC

Appointment of JRP

Appointed by the Minister of the Environment and the Governor in Council in consultation with the President of the CNSC.

Notice of EIS review period (CEAA)

JRP announces the start of the EIS review period with instructions to provide comments.

Start of public comment period

Review of EIS, including public review

Comment period * led by JRP, including conformity and technical review and information requests to OPG regarding the EIS and application for a licence to prepare site submitted by Ontario Power Generation in September 2009. Review opportunity for the JRP, public, Aboriginal groups and other stakeholder for comments.

End of public comment period

Final deadline for public comments on OPG's environmental impact statement and application for a licence to prepare a site

JRP public hearing announcement

JRP has determined that the environmental impact statement and the information in support of the application for a licence to prepare a site, along with additional information supplied by Ontario Power Generation, has provided the panel with enough information to proceed to a public hearing.

JRP public hearing

New release issued on January 25, 2012

A public hearing was held from March 21, 2011 to April 8, 2011 in the Municipality of Clarington, Ontario, to hear views about the EIS and the application for a licence to prepare site from the public, Aboriginal groups, Ontario Power Generation and other stakeholders.

CNSC staff participated at the hearing to provide its expert opinion to the JRP concerning its review of OPG’s environmental impact statement and licence to prepare site application.

Notice to interested parties or registered participants: Announcement of the 20-day deadline for the submission of written final comments: April 27, 2011

The JRP gave notice that hearing participants have 20 days to submit written final comments with a deadline of May 17, 2011

Close of public record

The JRP received and made public all the information that it needs, from the hearing, and therefore closed the record for the environmental assessment and is proceeding with the preparation of its environmental assessment report.

JRP submits the environmental assessment report to the federal Minister of the Environment

• Summary report (PDF) (Source: CEAA)
• Full report (PDF) (Source: CEAA)

The report is published and presented by the Minister of the Environment to the Governor in Council. Subject to the Government of Canada response to the report, the joint review panel may then proceed to make a decision on OPG's application for a licence to prepare site

Federal government’s response to the JRP's EA report (source: Natural Resources Canada)

Government Accepts Recommendations of Joint Review Panel for Darlington New Nuclear Power Plant Project (Source: Natural Resources Canada)

Response report (Source:  CEAA)

JRP as a panel of the Commission issues a 10 year site preparation licence for DNNP

OPG informs the CNSC of its intention to apply to renew the licence for another period of 10 years

CNSC mid-term report on OPG Darlington New Nuclear Project Licence to Prepare Site

OPG applies for a licence renewal to prepare site

Ontario Power Generation applies for licence to construct

The CNSC holds public hearings

CNSC holds hearings on the Ontario Power Generation application for a licence to construct and decides on the application.

Ontario Power Generation applies for licence to operate

CNSC hold public hearings

CNSC holds public hearings on the Ontario Power Generation application for a licence to operate and decides on the application