On May 10-12, 2022 the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) held a public hearing to consider New Brunswick Power’s (NB Power) application to renew the operating licence for the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station for an unprecedented 25-year licence term. The PLNGS is located within 100 metres of the Bay of Fundy and is Canada’s only nuclear generating station on an ocean. The Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick (CRED-NB) and CELA submitted a joint intervention to the CNSC opposing the licence request on the following grounds:

A: NB Power’s request for a 25-year licence is contrary to the public interest;
B. NB Power’s licence application fails to consider the impact of new developments, including a potential Small Modular Reactor and reprocessing facility;
C. NB Power’s licence application relies on outdated and incomplete environmental data;
D: NB Power’s request for a 25-year licence extends beyond the operating life of the facility;
E: NB Power’s licence application fails to expressly consider climate change; and
F: NB Power’s consideration of off-site emergency planning a preparedness at Point Lepreau is insufficient to protect human health and the environment.

On June 21, 2022, the CNSC issued a summary record of decision granting NB Power a 10-year licence renewal. Their detailed record of decision was released on October 5, 2022.