AECL recently appeared before the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) for the second part of a two-day hearing on the renewal of AECL’s operating licence for its Chalk River Laboratories.

The current licence expires on July 31, 2006 and AECL has applied for a 63-month renewal, almost double the existing licence. CNSC staff has recommended that the Commission accept the proposed licence period.

“We believe that we have operated Chalk River safely during the current license period with due regard for the environment, security and Canada’s international obligations,” said Brian McGee, AECL Vice-President, Nuclear Laboratories Business Unit. “We are committed to safe operation throughout the proposed license period and will continue to strive to become a model of safety culture excellence. A strong safety culture is central to our goal of overall operational excellence, and we will not be satisfied with anything less.”

AECL's Environmental Protection Program is the company's system for developing, implementing and continually improving environmental management. The program encompasses all AECL sites and activities at those sites, within Canada.

Chalk River is Canada’s national nuclear laboratory. Since 1944, it has been the home of research and development for the CANDU reactor and a centre of excellence in physics, metallurgy, chemistry, biology and engineering. Much pioneering work has been performed at Chalk River, including fundamental reactor physics research and development of reactor simulation computer programs, chemistry, fuels, materials and engineered systems for the CANDU reactor.

Onsite, the National Research Council performs fundamental materials research using neutrons generated by AECL’s National Research Universal (NRU) reactor. The technology developed here has been put to good use in radio-medicine applications. The NRU continues to produce the majority of the world’s medical isotopes used in both the diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening diseases.

Environmental scientists and a rigorous Environmental Protection Program ensure that the impact of operations at the Chalk River site are negligible on the health and well-being of employees, the public and on the environment.

The first hearing day was held April 26, 2006, during which AECL made a presentation in support of its application and CNSC staff summarized their assessment of AECL’s performance during the licence period. The second hearing day of a licence renewal is primarily held for interveners to express their views on the application. During AECL's second hearing day, 37 parties expressed their support and/or concerns regarding the renewal application.

The Commissioners are to announce their decision prior to July 31, 2006, following deliberation of AECL’s application.