{"id":3674,"date":"2020-11-19T17:51:49","date_gmt":"2020-11-19T17:51:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnl.wpengine.com\/?page_id=3674"},"modified":"2025-03-03T14:01:07","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T19:01:07","slug":"whiteshell-laboratories-decommissioning","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/environmental-stewardship\/whiteshell-laboratories-decommissioning\/","title":{"rendered":"Whiteshell Laboratories Decommissioning"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row css_animation=&#8221;&#8221; row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;grid&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221; z_index=&#8221;&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1725917171398{margin-bottom: 64px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]The decommissioning of Whiteshell Laboratories began in 2003, after the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approved an overall decommissioning framework and then issued a site decommissioning licence. Since that time, redundant buildings have been demolished, and new enabling facilities for waste handling have been constructed.<\/p>\n<p>The next major step in the plan is the decommissioning of the WR-1 Research Reactor itself, one of the largest and most complex facilities on the site.\u00a0 The proposal for that project has been sent to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for approval.<\/p>\n<p>CNL monitors environmental performance at the Whiteshell site and the results confirm continued responsible stewardship of the site.<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, CNL also developed a short <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/WL_Enviro_Monitoring_Report_2023.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Whiteshell Laboratories Environmental Monitoring Report<\/a> summarizing key findings.<\/p>\n<h2>2024 Relicensing<\/h2>\n<p>In February 2023, CNL applied to renew the Whiteshell Laboratories licence for a period of three years. The licence application is available <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/WLD-CNNO-24-0010-L_WL-Licence-Renewal-Application.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission hearing on CNL\u2019s application happened on October 23, 2024. The Notice of Hearing from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is available <a href=\"https:\/\/api.cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca\/dms\/digital-medias\/RevisedNotice-CNL-Whiteshell-24-H07-e.pdf\/object?subscription-key=3ff0910c6c54489abc34bc5b7d773be0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space]<a  itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/WL-Relicensing-factsheet.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"  class=\"qbutton  default\" style=\"\">Click here to learn more.<\/a>[vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1740165684385{margin-top: 32px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Current Projects<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/B300_Decom_Eng.pdf\">Research and Development Complex Decommissioning<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/environmental-stewardship\/wr-1-reactor-decommissioning\/\">Whiteshell Reactor No. 1 (WR-1) Facility Decommissioning Project<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Completed Projects<\/h2>\n<p>Shielded Modular Above-Ground Storage (SMAGS) Facility<br \/>\nWaste Handling &amp; Clearance Facilities<br \/>\nCesium Pond<br \/>\nLiquid Waste Retrieval and Disposition (Mixed Liquid Waste, Active Liquid Waste Tanks 1 and 2, WL Tanks)<br \/>\nNon-Nuclear Buildings Decommissioning<br \/>\nShielded Facilities Decommissioning<br \/>\nUnderground Research Laboratory Decommissioning<br \/>\nSite Utility Systems Reconfiguration<br \/>\nNuclear Services Reconfiguration[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=&#8221;&#8221; row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;grid&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221; z_index=&#8221;&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1739558172669{margin-top: 32px !important;margin-bottom: 32px !important;padding-top: 60px !important;padding-bottom: 60px !important;background-color: #F5F5F5 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1739558023036{padding-top: 15px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Recent News<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space]<div class='latest_post_holder image_in_box  ' >\r\n    <ul>\r\n    \r\n        <li class=\"clearfix\">\r\n            <div class=\"latest_post\"  >\r\n                                 <div class=\"latest_post_image clearfix\">\r\n                    <a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/whiteshell-laboratories-retrieves-two-high-hazard-waste-packages-from-legacy-standpipes\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\">\r\n                                                <img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/legacy-standpipes-wl-340x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\r\n                    <\/a>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t                <div class=\"latest_post_text \">\r\n                    <div class=\"latest_post_inner\">\r\n                        <div class=\"latest_post_text_inner\">\r\n                        <span class=\"post_infos\">\r\n                                                                    <span class=\"date_hour_holder\">\r\n                                        <span itemprop=\"dateCreated\" class=\"date entry_date updated\">03 March, 2025 <meta itemprop=\"interactionCount\" content=\"UserComments: 0\"\/><\/span>\r\n                                    <\/span>\r\n                                \r\n                                \r\n                                \r\n                                    <span class=\"dots\"><i class=\"fa fa-square\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                                    <a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"post_comments\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/whiteshell-laboratories-retrieves-two-high-hazard-waste-packages-from-legacy-standpipes\/#respond\">No comment<\/a>\r\n                                \r\n                                \r\n                                                            <\/span>\r\n                            <h5 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"latest_post_title entry_title \">Whiteshell Laboratories retrieves two high hazard waste packages from legacy standpipes<\/h5>\r\n                            <p class=\"excerpt\">Whiteshell Laboratories has retrieved two high-quantity cesium sources from standpipes in Whiteshell\u2019s Waste Management Area (WMA). The Whiteshell team successfully......<\/p>                            \r\n                            <div class=\"post_more\">\r\n                    \r\n                        \t\t\t<a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/whiteshell-laboratories-retrieves-two-high-hazard-waste-packages-from-legacy-standpipes\/\" class=\"qbutton default\">Read More <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Whiteshell Laboratories retrieves two high hazard waste packages from legacy standpipes<\/span><\/a>  \r\n                              \r\n                                <\/div>\r\n\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/li>\r\n        \r\n        <li class=\"clearfix\">\r\n            <div class=\"latest_post\"  >\r\n                                 <div class=\"latest_post_image clearfix\">\r\n                    <a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/one-of-a-kind-waste-retrieval-system-to-ramp-up-decommissioning-at-whiteshell-laboratories\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\">\r\n                                                <img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/one-of-a-kind-waste-retrieval-system-at-wl-340x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\r\n                    <\/a>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t                <div class=\"latest_post_text \">\r\n                    <div class=\"latest_post_inner\">\r\n                        <div class=\"latest_post_text_inner\">\r\n                        <span class=\"post_infos\">\r\n                                                                    <span class=\"date_hour_holder\">\r\n                                        <span itemprop=\"dateCreated\" class=\"date entry_date updated\">03 March, 2025 <meta itemprop=\"interactionCount\" content=\"UserComments: 0\"\/><\/span>\r\n                                    <\/span>\r\n                                \r\n                                \r\n                                \r\n                                    <span class=\"dots\"><i class=\"fa fa-square\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                                    <a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"post_comments\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/one-of-a-kind-waste-retrieval-system-to-ramp-up-decommissioning-at-whiteshell-laboratories\/#respond\">No comment<\/a>\r\n                                \r\n                                \r\n                                                            <\/span>\r\n                            <h5 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"latest_post_title entry_title \">One-of-a-kind waste retrieval system to ramp up decommissioning at Whiteshell Laboratories<\/h5>\r\n                            <p class=\"excerpt\">The Whiteshell Laboratories site is getting ready to receive a one-of-a-kind shipment that will take waste retrieval to the next......<\/p>                            \r\n                            <div class=\"post_more\">\r\n                    \r\n                        \t\t\t<a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/one-of-a-kind-waste-retrieval-system-to-ramp-up-decommissioning-at-whiteshell-laboratories\/\" class=\"qbutton default\">Read More <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">One-of-a-kind waste retrieval system to ramp up decommissioning at Whiteshell Laboratories<\/span><\/a>  \r\n                              \r\n                                <\/div>\r\n\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/li>\r\n        \r\n        <li class=\"clearfix\">\r\n            <div class=\"latest_post\"  >\r\n                                 <div class=\"latest_post_image clearfix\">\r\n                    <a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/wr-1-project-achieves-regulatory-milestone\/\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\">\r\n                                                <img decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/WR1-5-340x240.png\" alt=\"\" \/>\r\n                    <\/a>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t                <div class=\"latest_post_text \">\r\n                    <div class=\"latest_post_inner\">\r\n                        <div class=\"latest_post_text_inner\">\r\n                        <span class=\"post_infos\">\r\n                                                                    <span class=\"date_hour_holder\">\r\n                                        <span itemprop=\"dateCreated\" class=\"date entry_date updated\">24 February, 2025 <meta itemprop=\"interactionCount\" content=\"UserComments: 0\"\/><\/span>\r\n                                    <\/span>\r\n                                \r\n                                \r\n                                \r\n                                    <span class=\"dots\"><i class=\"fa fa-square\"><\/i><\/span>\r\n                                    <a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"post_comments\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/wr-1-project-achieves-regulatory-milestone\/#respond\">No comment<\/a>\r\n                                \r\n                                \r\n                                                            <\/span>\r\n                            <h5 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"latest_post_title entry_title \">WR-1 Project Achieves Regulatory Milestone<\/h5>\r\n                            <p class=\"excerpt\">The Whiteshell Reactor \u2013 1 (WR-1) Project\u2019s draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has now passed the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission......<\/p>                            \r\n                            <div class=\"post_more\">\r\n                    \r\n                        \t\t\t<a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnl.ca\/wr-1-project-achieves-regulatory-milestone\/\" class=\"qbutton default\">Read More <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">WR-1 Project Achieves Regulatory Milestone<\/span><\/a>  \r\n                              \r\n                                <\/div>\r\n\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/li>\r\n        \r\n    <\/ul>\r\n<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=&#8221;&#8221; row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;grid&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221; z_index=&#8221;&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1739558580112{margin-top: 34px !important;padding-top: 32px !important;padding-bottom: 32px !important;background-color: #FFFFFF !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13214&#8243; img_size=&#8221;300&#215;300&#8243; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; onclick=&#8221;custom_link&#8221; img_link_target=&#8221;_blank&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1706134726119{padding-top: 32px !important;}&#8221; qode_css_animation=&#8221;&#8221; qode_hover_animation=&#8221;darken&#8221; title=&#8221;Videos &amp; Presentations&#8221; link=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLxMi0WAtqUlICca_KBE_k02hkXzLwrNfB&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row css_animation=&#8221;&#8221; row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;grid&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221; z_index=&#8221;&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1725917171398{margin-bottom: 64px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]The decommissioning of Whiteshell Laboratories began in 2003,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":18,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3674","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Whiteshell Laboratories Decommissioning - Canadian Nuclear Laboratories<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Decommissioning of the Whiteshell Laboratories has been underway for more than a decade.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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