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In addition, the CNSC has also approved AECL’s request to amend the operating licence for the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor to permit it to operate beyond December 31, 2005.
“I am very pleased the Commission has accepted the CNSC staff recommendations to allow the continued operation of NRU reactor and renew the operating licenses of the MAPLE reactors and the NPF,” said AECL President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Van Adel. “These Facilities are vital to Canadians and to thousands of people around the world.”
As the world’s largest producer of radionuclides, NRU is a multipurpose research reactor and is Canada’s premier facility for nuclear power research, and materials research. It also produces for MDS Nordion the majority of the world’s medical isotopes including molybdenum-99, as well as several longer-lived isotopes which are used for medical imaging and cancer therapy to the benefit of 70,000 patients per day.
The MAPLE reactors and New Processing Facility will be dedicated to the production of medical isotopes for MDS Nordion. During the two-year period, AECL plans to complete the commissioning of the MAPLE 1 reactor and New Processing Facility and start isotope supply from these facilities.
Mr. Van Adel added, “We also want to thank all of the community leaders and stakeholders who continue to publicly support AECL in our licensing efforts with their positive testimony at the Hearings and in written interventions. We are very appreciative of the support and interest from our community stakeholders.”
In particular, AECL wishes to acknowledge the support received at the Hearing by MDS Nordion, the National Research Council, the Council on Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals, the Canadian Nuclear Worker’s Council, the Corporation of the Town of Deep River, the Canadian Forces Base/Area Support Unit Petawawa, the Corporation of the Town of Laurentian Hills, the City of Pembroke, the Regional County Municipality of Pontiac, and the County of Renfrew.
As well, AECL is grateful for the support received from several individuals who intervened in support of the applications, including Ms. Cheryl Gallant, MP – Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, Mr. Don Lindsay, and Messrs. Cliff Brown, Maurice D. Cole, Kenneth Merrett and Al Pyatt.
About AECL
AECL is an integrated nuclear technology company providing services to nuclear utilities worldwide. With more than 4,000 employees, AECL is focused on delivering R&D support, nuclear services, design and engineering, construction management, specialist technology, and waste management and decommissioning in support of CANDU reactor products.
AECL’s R&D facilities and engineering and project management experience have created a strong delivery and technology capability to provide for the economic life extension of CANDU assets here in Canada and internationally. There are 48 Heavy Water Reactors based on the CANDU design in operation, under construction, or under refurbishment located on four continents. More information on AECL and CANDU technology can be found at www.aecl.ca.