AECL also has substantial Decommissioning expertise, ranging from experience with research sites (Chalk River Laboratories, Whiteshell Laboratories), prototype reactor sites (Nuclear Power Demonstration, Gentilly-1, Douglas Point) and heavy water sites (LaPrade), through support facilities associated with prototype reactors, research reactors, isotope processing, fuel processing, research laboratories and waste management facilities.

AECL’s key expertise lies in its comprehensive, high-value, decommissioning planning and project management capabilities. Precision in these front-end activities then permits the actual decommissioning to proceed on budget and on schedule. As well, AECL provides site preparation, fuel handling and high- and low-level decontamination.

All nuclear facilities require decommissioning actions following cessation of nuclear operations. The scope of those actions varies depending on the facility characteristics and past use of the facility. AECL’s expertise and experience includes:

• Needs analysis
• Cost estimating
• Preliminary or conceptual plans
• Radiation surveys and waste inventory assessment
• Asset recovery planning
• Waste stream planning: radioactive, mixed wastes and conventional wastes
• Technology development
• Radiation and chemical hazards assessments
• Critical safety analysis
• Option and present value analysis
• Liaison with regulators and the public
• Environmental protection planning
• Training