Government Introduces New Legislation to Restart Nuclear Reactor

News Release

OTTAWA – The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural
Resources, and the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, today announced
that the Government of Canada has introduced legislation mandating Atomic Energy
of Canada Limited (AECL) to restart its National
Research Universal (NRU) reactor safely.
The reactor has been shutdown since November 18 leading to delays and
cancellation of medical procedures in Canada and abroad. AECL made the decision
to extend a regularly-scheduled maintenance shutdown in order to perform
additional modifications required to meet Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
(CNSC) licence
requirements.
Technical experts have confirmed that the reactor can operate safely on an
interim basis until all modifications are completed. The recent connection of a
back-up pump power system is a substantial upgrade for the NRU reactor, which
has operated safely for decades.
"Our Government's highest priority is the health and safety of Canadians. We
have taken decisive action to bring forward a solution that addresses both — we
have a reactor with enhanced safety modifications which can now be put back into
service," said Minister Lunn.
"We understand and are concerned about the stress and worry that this
situation is causing to patients and their loved ones- that is why we took
immediate action," added Minister Clement.
FOR BROADCAST USE:

The Government of Canada today announced program details and eligibility requirements for $1.5 billion in biofuel production incentives available through the ecoENERGY for Biofuels initiative. Gasoline sold in Canada will require an average of five percent renewable content by 2010. Diesel fuel and heating oil will require an average of two percent renewable content by 2012.-->
Media may contact:
Louise Girouard Director of Communications Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada Ottawa 613-996-2007
Rita SmithDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of
HealthOttawa 613-957-0200The general public may contact:
Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30 EDT
Telephone: 613-995-0947
TTY: 613-996-4397
(teletype for the hearing-impaired)
E-mail: questions@nrcan.gc.ca
The following media backgrounder is available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media:
ecoENERGY for Biofuels Production Incentive
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.-->

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Government of Canada Nature and Environment

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2016-12-15

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Government Introduces New Legislation to Restart Nuclear Reactor

News Release

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