The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced the Commission’s decision to renew Hydro-Québec’s power reactor decommissioning licence for its Gentilly-2 Facilities for a period of 20 years. The Gentilly-2 Facilities are located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Bécancour, Quebec, on the traditional and unceded territories of the Abenaki people under the council of the W8banaki, and the traditional land of the Wendat.

In making its decision, the Commission considered submissions from Hydro-Québec, CNSC staff and 5 intervenors during a public hearing in writing. The Commission concluded that Hydro-Québec remains qualified to carry on the activities that the renewed licence will authorize. There are no changes to Hydro-Québec’s licensed activities under the renewed licence. 

The decision includes a requirement for Hydro-Québec to provide a comprehensive performance update to the Commission on the conduct of its licensed activities at the midpoint of the 20-year licence period.

The record of decision is available upon request to the Commission Registry at interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca. The decision will also be posted in both official languages on the CNSC website at a later date. All submissions related to this licence renewal are available on the CNSC website.

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment; to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public. The Commission is a quasi-judicial administrative tribunal set up at arm’s length from government, independent from any political, government or private sector influence.