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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 23 �N OF p�C MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF g THE PICKERING/ONTARIO HYDRO LIAISON COMMITTEE 1W%%% HELD ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1998 AT 6:30 P.M. PICKERING NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION Present: Mayor Wayne Arthurs Councillor Maurice Brenner Rick Pearsall, Fire Chief-Town of Pickering Debbie Kearns, Committee Co-ordinator -Town of Pickering Pat O'Brien, Ontario Hydro John Colby, Ontario Hydro Denise Weiss, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade Arif Khan, Pickering Nuclear Al Goodall, Representative of the Public Dave Belanger, CHZM Gore & Storrie Limited Judith Ryan, Pickering Nuclear Karen Paul, Durham Nuclear Awareness R. P. Mayer, Pickering Nuclear Randy Leavitt, Pickering Nuclear Georges Simard, Pickering Nuclear Bob Strickert, Pickering Nuclear Irene Kock, Durham Nuclear Awareness Marianne Takacs,News Advertiser 1. Pickering Nuclear Generating Station Incident Arif Kahn advised that the radiation exposure incident which occurred on Saturday, September 19 affecting 30 people, mostly children, was caused by naturally occurring radon gas. The contamination was monitored as being primarily on hands and was easily removed by soap and water. An investigation was immediately undertaken which identified that a low level of radiation appeared on a new portion of plastic chain. This chain was immediately removed and segregated. There was no contamination found on the floor or equipment. When further investigation was carried out on Sunday, no contamination was found anywhere. He advised that the radiation detected, was from naturally occurring radon gas which has a very short half life. - 2 - Note: Subsequent to the meeting, tests conducted, once in the presence of the A.E.C.B., have conclusively identified high levels of radon gas as being present in the building and in the plastic suits and gloves. Arif advised that the children picked up some of this radiation from the lubricant inside the rubber gloves when they tried on the plastic suits. He further advised that at that lovel, there are no health risk. [Radiation Protection Bureau of Health Canada is in the process of independently reviewing the conclusions and make their statement on the issue]. Random checking will occur and special radon meters will be purchased. 2. Update on the Environmental Review Project Al Goodall, Member of the Community Working Group, made a presentation concerning the Environmental Review Project. He advised that they believe that Ontario Hydro was not providing sufficient information about its operations and were concerned about the environmental impact of the station as evidenced by the 1997 election plebiscite. Recognizing this, and in keeping with the AECB license conditions to prepare an environmental summary, Ontario Hydro formed a committee of community stakeholders to highlight issues. Initially, the committee were concerned with the narrowness of the terms of reference and felt that not all the issues identified would be resolved. Al then stated that Bob Strickert informed the committee that he wanted all issues on the table and dealt with. Al stated a letter was then forwarded to the committee from Mr. Strickert reiterating his comments, confirming continued community consultation beyond the November deadline. Hydro stated that issues raised, priorities and comments would be included in the AECB Report. Al distributed correspondence relating to the Pickering Environmental Review Project. 3. Adoption of Minutes of the Meeting of June 24th, 1998 Minutes of the meeting of June 24th, 1998 were adopted as circulated. Moved by Pat O'Brien, seconded by Al Goodall. 4. Technical Results Pat O'Brien advised that the Technical Results would be available and distributed with the minutes. (Mailed to committee members October 5, 1998). - 3 - 5. Ministry of the Environment Correspondence The correspondence from the Ministry of the Environment to Ontario Hydro concerning the Proposed Program Approval which outlines the implementation of a program to control the discharge of contaminants from Pickering NGS was received for information. Moved by Councillor Brenner. 6. Durham Nuclear Health Committee The minutes of the Durham Nuclear Health Committee, Meeting #98-1 and #98-2 were received for information. Moved by Al Goodall. 7. Update on UPP Dave Belanger, gave a broad overview of the project. He advised that UPP stands for Upgrading Plant at Pickering. He outlined the project background, project overview and identified actual tasks undertaken. He advised that a remedial action work plan would be summitted to the Ministry of the Environment in December. 8. Station Status John Coleby, gave a brief overview and outlined the future plans of the plant. He presented the Outage Unit Report and the Outage Schedule for Units 5, 7 and 8. The process for consideration of Pickering A Restart was also outlined. 9. Site Electrical System John Froats, advised that the licence requires one power source to one pump. Options with respect to sources of power will be submitted to the AECB within a couple of weeks. 10. Atomic Energy Control Board Mid-Term Report Rafael Moya, advised that a six-month progress report will be summitted ted to the Atomic Energy Control Board. This presentation will satisfy the licence conditions for the Pickering A and Pickering B Stations. Public safety will be a key part of the presentation. Pickering has not experience any Level 1 Public Safety Events, which is the most serious event. There have been 10 Level 2 Events, eg. staffing compliment of team members not complete. He advised that reactor trip frequencies are decreasing and below target, and dose to personnel and public is also decreasing and below target. He stated that the facility continues to operate safely, the improvement initiatives are having an affect, and the challenges are recognized and being addressed. - 4 - 11. Dry Fuel Storage Facility Rafael Moagave a short Moya, resentation concerning the DryFuel el Stora a Facility. He advised that the Pickering Waste Management Facility operates under a separate licence and that Ontario Hydro was requesting a two-year license renewal with the expiration of the present license at the end of this year. 12. Other Business a) Mayor Arthurs requested a copy of the August presentation on Dry Fuel Storage from Pat O'Brien. b) A presentation will be made at the November meeting concerning Waste Management. c) Karen Paul requested that a member of the Ministry of the Environment and the AECB be invited to an upcoming meeting. d) Karen Paul requested a copy of the booklet 'You and Your Family' from Pat O'Brien. e) Karen Paul requested that a presentation be made at the next meeting concerning fire safety, zebra mussles and PVC cables. f) Karen Paul requested a status report and timeline on Ontario Hydro's Public Disclosure Policy. g) Al Goodall requested earlier delivery of the agendas. h) Denise Weiss questioned if the report concerning water testing was prepared. Pat O'Brien advised that the water testing undertaken by Ontario Hydro, Ministry of Labour and the University of Waterloo were all consistent. 13. Next Meeting The next meeting will be held at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station on November 18th, 1998 at 6:30 p.m. 14. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.