New reactor category for small commercial reactors added to nuclear liability rules, with updated liability amounts across all classes

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted

Pending amendments (not yet in force) create a new installation class called "Commercial Reactor of 1 400 MW or Less" to cover nuclear reactors producing 1,400 MW of thermal power or less for commercial electricity or heat. This distinguishes smaller commercial reactors from the existing "power reactor" category, which is redefined to cover only reactors with capacity over 1,400 MW. A sliding-scale liability formula applies to the new class: the operator's required financial coverage is calculated as the reactor's thermal output in MW multiplied by $600,000, plus $60,000,000. The Darlington New Nuclear Project is added to the schedule of designated nuclear installations under this new class. Liability amounts for all other installation classes are also updated — for example, the Reactor of over 7 MW Class is set at $226.8 million and the Radioactive Waste Management Facility Class at $1.3 million. Operators of nuclear installations, particularly those involved in new reactor projects or waste management, should review which class now applies to their facility and what the corresponding financial liability obligation will be.

Who this affects
nuclear reactor operators · holders of nuclear installation licences · operators of radioactive waste management facilities · nuclear fuel processing facility operators · new nuclear project developers