National Research Universal (NRU) Reactor Long-term Management Project

Environmental assessment Start date:  March 31, 2009
Type:  Screening
CEAR reference number: 09-01-46668
Proponent: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL)
Location: Chalk River, Ontario

Latest Update

• March 18, 2011: Record of Proceedings - Atomic Energy of Canada Limited - Environmental Assessment Screening Report Regarding the Proposed National Research Universal Reactor Long-Term Management Project at Chalk River Laboratories in Chalk River, Ontario (PDF)
• November 29, 2010: Request for Public Comment - Draft Environmental Assessment Screening Report
• December 21, 2009: Milestones for the NRU Reactor Long-term Management Project EA
• December 21, 2009: Final Scoping Information Document (PDF)
• July 8, 2009: CNSC Announces Decision on Proposed Environmental Assessment Scoping Information Document for the National Research Universal Reactor (NRU) Long-term Management Project at Chalk River Laboratories(PDF)

Project Description

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has received a project description from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) for an approval to construct and install certain supporting infrastructure for the National Research Universal Reactor (NRU) and for modifications to support the long-term operation of the NRU Reactor at Chalk River Laboratories, Ontario.

The Project to secure the long-term operation of the NRU Reactor would include construction, installation or modifications to the following facilities or systems:

• Light Water Detritiation Facility;
• Fissile Waste Storage System;
• Replacement of Moly Production Facility Ventilation System;
• Connection of Moly Production Facility to the Active Drain System; and
• New waste management infrastructure for large items generated as a result of refurbishment/upgrading recommended by the Integrated Safety Review (ISR).

AECL has requested a renewal of the CRL operating licence until 2016.  The purpose of the proposed licence renewal of the NRU Reactor is to allow AECL to continue its activities in support of nuclear power development, isotope production, fundamental research in materials research and other commercial applications.

The scope of the EA includes bounding timeframes of 2021 for potential operation of the NRU reactor and the supporting infrastructure at the Chalk River Laboratories site for medical isotope production. The EA is used solely as a tool to assess potential environmental impacts of a project, in this case the continued operation of the NRU reactor beyond the current licence expiry date of October 2011. No changes are proposed to the way the NRU Reactor is currently operated.

The bounding timeframe of the EA does not have any bearing on the term of the licence granted by the Commission.

CNSC authorization to construct, install and modify the NRU facilities requires an approval to AECL’s Nuclear Research and Test Establishment Operating Licence, pursuant to subsection 24(2) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA).

Before the Commission may consider a decision on licensing under the NSCA regarding AECL’s proposal, a screening level environmental assessment (EA) must be completed in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.  The purpose of an EA is to identify the possible environmental effects of a proposed project, and determine whether these effects can be mitigated before the project is allowed to proceed.

Project Milestone	Responsibility	Date
Preparation of draft Scoping Information Document	CNSC	June 2009
Commission Decision on Scoping Information Document	Commission	July 2009
Submission of EIS	AECL	January 2010
Review of EIS by Federal and Responsible Authorities	CNSC	January 2010
Submission of Revised EIS	AECL	September 2010
Preparation of draft EA Screening Report	CNSC	October-November 2010
Public Review of EA Screening Report	CNSC	November 2010-January 2011
Review of EA Screening Report by Federal and Responsible Authorities	CNSC	November 2010-January 2011
Finalize EA Screening Report	CNSC	January 2011
Commission Decision on EA Screening Report	Commission	February 2011

Related Documents

• Final Scoping Information Document (PDF)

Further Information

The CNSC maintains a public registry of documents related to its environmental assessments. Lists and copies of documents may be obtained upon request. For questions or information directly related to this environmental assessment, contact the CNSC.

CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment and to respect Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.