Chalk River, 2006 June 02 — New strategy based on sound waste management principles and international best practices

At the request of the Government of Canada, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is moving forward on a path to achieve international best practices for managing Canada’s decommissioning and waste management obligations for its nuclear facilities. Funding for the new long-term strategy was announced today by the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources Canada and amounts to $520 million over the next five years.

The new Government of Canada’s long-term strategy reflects several important changes including the acceleration in timing of the decommissioning activities and the inclusion of the construction and operational costs of new infrastructure and treatment facilities required to permit waste processing, storage and long-term management. AECL’s newly formed Liability Management Unit will implement the new plan on behalf of the federal government.

“The Government of Canada’s accelerated decommissioning plan is good news for Canadians as it adopts internationally recognized best practices for decommissioning and waste management,” says AECL’s President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Van Adel. “This clearly represents a sustainable and responsible solution to managing environmental issues and ensures Canada addresses them now, instead of passing them on to future generations.”

Decommissioning and waste management obligations on AECL managed sites have arisen from a wide variety of sources. These include Federal Government facilities used during the ”Cold War”, before AECL was incorporated in 1952, wastes received for safe storage from universities, medical facilities, government and industry from across Canada, and from production of medical isotopes, and research and development (R&D) programs in support of Canada’s nuclear industry.

As a nuclear operator, AECL must also decommission facilities at the end of their operating life in accordance with the plans filed with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). Decommissioning these facilities will involve safely dismantling the facility and processing any radioactive material for appropriate disposal.

• Backgrounder: Decommissioning and Waste Management Strategy for AECL Managed Facilities
• Webcast: View Minister Lunn's Chalk River Announcement

About AECL

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is a full service nuclear technology company providing services to nuclear utilities around the world. Established in 1952, AECL is the designer and builder of CANDU technology including the CANDU 6, one of the world’s top-performing reactors.

AECL’s 4,000 employees deliver cutting edge nuclear services, R&D support, design and engineering, construction management, specialized technology, waste management and decommissioning in support of CANDU reactor products. We work in partnership with our clients to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy solutions. More information on AECL and CANDU technology can be found at www.aecl.ca.

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