News Releases

CNSC resumes full regulatory oversight of NRU reactor

08-11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2008

Ottawa – The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) will resume its full regulatory oversight of the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s (AECL) National Research Universal (NRU) reactor in Chalk River, Ontario, effective April 11, 2008.

The connections of heavy water pumps to the emergency power supply (EPS) in the NRU reactor had been exempted from regulatory control through Bill C-38, which received Royal Assent on December 12, 2007, for a period of 120 days.

“The reactor is operating safely and CNSC and AECL staff have agreed on a way forward through more effective regulatory compliance to ensure that such a situation does not reoccur,” said CNSC President Michael Binder. “Upgrades relating to the connection of the EPS to two of theNRU's main cooling pumps are fully operational.”

On December 10, 2007, the Government of Canada issued a directive advising the Commission to take into account the health of Canadians who, for medical purposes, depend on nuclear substances produced by nuclear reactors.“The Government of Canada Directive will be part of our deliberations in all future CNSC licensing decisions”, commented Mr. Binder.

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment, and to respect Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Contact:
Aurèle Gervais Media and Community Relations Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission 613-996-6860