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Environmental Assessment
Proposal by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited for the continued operation of the
National Research Universal (NRU) Reactor at Chalk River Laboratories
Environmental assessment start date: December 13, 2004
Type: Screening
CEAR reference number:
04-01-8269
Proponent: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL)
Location: Chalk River, Ontario
Latest Update
Project Description
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has received
an application from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) for authorization for
the continued unchanged operation of the National Research Universal (NRU)
Reactor at Chalk River Laboratories. This authorization would require an
amendment to AECL’s Nuclear Research and Test Establishment Operating Licence
pursuant to section 24 of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA).
The reactor is a Class 1A nuclear facility under the Class 1 Nuclear
Facilities Regulations.
The NRU reactor began operating in 1957. It is a research
reactor that is licensed to operate at power levels of up to 135 megawatts. It
produces about 60% of the world's supply of molybdenum-99, a critical isotope
used for medical diagnoses, as well as other radioisotopes.
In 1996, AECL informed the CNSC (then known as the Atomic
Energy Control Board) that operation of the NRU reactor would not continue
beyond December 31, 2005. It was expected that the Canadian Neutron Facility (CNF)
would replace the research capability of NRU. However, the CNF is not ready to
replace the NRU. In 2003, AECL advised the CNSC that they intended to continue
operation of the NRU reactor beyond December 2005. It should be noted that the
project subject to an environmental assessment under the CEAA, is the
uninterrupted continuation of the operation of the NRU reactor in an identical
manner.
Before the
Commission makes its decision on AECL’s application, an environmental assessment
must be completed in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
The purpose of an environmental assessment is to identify the possible
environmental effects of a proposed project, and to determine whether these
effects can be mitigated before the project is allowed to proceed.
Further Information
The CNSC maintains a public registry of documents related to its
environmental assessments. Lists and copies of documents may be obtained upon
request. For questions or information related to this environmental assessment,
please contact:
Claude David
Environmental Assessment Specialist
Processing Facilities and Environmental Assessment Division
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P.O. Box 1046, Station B
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5S9
Phone : 1-800-668-5284
Fax : (613) 995-5086
E-mail : ceaainfo@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
For more information on the environmental assessment process, please refer to
the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency web site at
www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca.
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.
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