2009 News Releases

AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 December 30 — AECL reports that repairs to the NRU reactor vessel continue to progress at the Chalk River Laboratories.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 December 23 — Repairs to the NRU reactor vessel continue at the Chalk River Laboratories, with approximately 11 per cent of the planned repairs completed to date.
AECL enters Japanese market with multi-million dollar parts and services deal
Mississauga, 2009 December 22 — AECL has signed a multi-million dollar product and services contract with Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), marking the first time that AECL has been awarded a contract in Japan.
Expert panel recommends CANDU as best choice for China’s alternative nuclear fuel program
Mississauga, 2009 December 18 — An expert panel appointed by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has concluded that CANDU technology is the ideal nuclear reactor design to further China’s nuclear power program using thorium as an alternative nuclear fuel source.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 December 16 — AECL confirms that the first weld build-up repair on the NRU reactor vessel was performed on December 12th.
AECL Announces Senior Management Appointment
Mississauga, 2009 December 16 — AECL is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ramzi Fawaz as Senior Vice-President, Operations, effective immediately.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 December 09 — AECL has successfully completed a test weld on the surface of the NRU vessel wall that simulates the repair welds.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 December 02 — The specialized tooling and equipment for the weld repair has now been installed at the NRU reactor.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 November 25 — Welder training and weld equipment testing and verification in the NRU facility mock-up is now complete.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 November 18 — AECL continues to train welders and prepare equipment prior to commencing in-vessel repairs.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 November 11 — AECL has installed the first set of welding tools and equipment in the full height mock-up at Chalk River's NRX facility.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 November 04 — The first set of welding tools and equipment, developed in partnership by AECL and Liburdi Engineering of Dundas, Ontario, has arrived at the Chalk River Laboratories.
AECL Announces Senior Management Appointments
Mississauga, 2009 November 04 — AECL is pleased to announce the following senior management appointments.
Off to the Races: AECL launches annual United Way Campaign Targetting $90,000
Chalk River, 2009 November 03 — Thirty-one employees of AECL's Chalk River Laboratories braved the pouring rain and windy weather on Friday, October 30 to participate in the second annual Running of the Bears event, the first of many employee events planned to raise money for the United Way.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 October 28 — Vessel cleaning activities for the six sites requiring localized repair is complete and preparations are underway to conduct additional cleaning as necessary.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 October 21 — Cleaning activities are approximately 88 per cent complete. Progress on this activity has been made possible through the use of the customized tooling designed and built by AECL staff working at the Chalk River Laboratories.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 October 14 — In preparation of the upcoming weld build-up repair, cleaning of the NRU reactor vessel is progressing.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 October 07 — This week AECL completed the Phase II Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) data analysis. Examination of the data confirms that only six sites within the vessel require localized repair.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 September 30 — The Phase IV NDE probe tool testing and training is complete and collection of in-vessel Phase IV data is underway.
AECL welcomes potential recruits to CRL for Hiring Campaign
Chalk River, 2009 September 28 — AECL’s Chalk River Laboratories are hosting 40 potential new hires this week as it conducts a two-day hiring campaign.
AECL issues status report on the Point Lepreau Life Extension Project
Saint John, NB; 2009 September 27 — On Thursday, September 24, New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham, Energy Minister Jack Keir and New Brunswick Power (NB Power) President & CEO David Hay were provided with a status briefing on the Point Lepreau life extension project by AECL President & CEO Hugh MacDiarmid.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 September 23 — Data analysis continues on Phase II Non Destructive Examinations (NDE). Phase III analysis is complete and findings confirm there is no degradation of the upper portions of the NRU vessel wall.
AECL extends agreement with Argentina for expanded CANDU nuclear co-operation
Creates increased business opportunities for Canada’s nuclear industry in South America
Mississauga, 2009 September 21 — AECL has signed an Agreement with Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A. (NASA) and Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica (CNEA) to extend a number of nuclear co-operation programs related to CANDU 6 and the development of the Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR-1000).
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 September 16 — Data analysis continues on Phases II and III of the Non Destructive Examinations (NDE). Probe development is nearing completion and preparations are underway to commence Phase IV NDE at the base of the vessel.
Ontario Stewardship Rangers and Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn Earthwalkers visit Chalk River Laboratories
Chalk River, 2009 September 15 — In July and August, AECL hosted two Ottawa Valley youth groups at the Chalk River Laboratories; the Ontario Stewardship Rangers (OSR) from Pembroke and the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn Earthwalkers from Golden Lake.
AECL President highlights need for nuclear energy industry to work together to deliver the promise of the nuclear renaissance
Mississauga, 2009 September 11 — In a speech delivered to delegates at the World Nuclear Association Annual Symposium in London, UK, Mr. Hugh MacDiarmid, President and Chief Executive Officer of AECL underscored the urgent need for global and systematic cooperation in the nuclear industry in order to sustain the confidence of global markets in the nuclear renaissance.
Canadian nuclear regulator finds “no fundamental barriers” to licensing AECL’s Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR-1000)Mississauga, 2009 September 10 — The CNSC has completed Phase 2 of a Pre-Project Design Review of AECL's Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR-1000) and concluded that there are no fundamental barriers to licensing the ACR-1000 in Canada.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 September 09 — Data analysis continues on Phase II and III of the Non Destructive Examinations (NDE). Phase II included scans of the entire vessel circumference and Phase III included five vertical scans from the bottom to the top of the interior wall of the vessel. One additional vertical scan is planned.
AECL Announces Senior Management Appointments
Mississauga, 2009 September 04 — AECL is pleased to announce the following senior management appointments. Effective immediately, Allan Hawryluk is appointed Senior Vice-President, Strategic Contracting, and Jonathan Lundy joins AECL as Senior Vice-President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 September 02 — AECL’s NDE team has now completed the third stage of examinations of the vessel wall using special tooling for vertical inspection. NDE analysis activities remain on schedule.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 August 26 — Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) inspections of the NRU reactor using the Mark II tool are now complete and a large quantity of data has been obtained for analysis.
Video Status Updates Highlight NRU Repair Strategy and Critical Path
Chalk River, 2009 August 25 — In accordance with AECL's commitment to providing regular communications updates on the status of the NRU reactor return to service plan, AECL releases the following videos that take viewers inside Chalk River Laboratories and highlights activities underway to prepare for the reactor vessel repairs.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 August 19 — The CNSC has determined that Commission approval will be required prior to AECL re-fuelling the reactor.
AECL provides updated guidance on NRU return to service
Chalk River, 2009 August 12 — Detailed analysis of Non Destructive Examination (NDE) data collected to date confirms nine sites likely requiring repair. In addition, high resolution scanning data available recently has identified both wall thinning and localized pitting that suggests different corrosion effects.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 August 05 — A detailed analysis of the Non Destructive Examination (NDE) data collected to date continues. Results of this analysis have been provided to the vendors to support their tooling development.
AECL provides NRU Video Status Update
Chalk River, 2009 August 04 — AECL releases two video updates of its National Research Universal (NRU) Return to Service Plan activities, including a more detailed look at the non-destructive examinations currently under way at Chalk River Laboratories.
MAPLE reactors not a quick fix to the global isotope issue
Mississauga, 2009 July 30 — In response to a statement issued today by MDS Nordion on how the MAPLE reactors could solve the isotope crisis within 24 months, AECL issued the following summary of an opinion editorial published by Dr. Jean-Pierre Labrie, AECL’s Manager of Reactor Physics and Systems Behaviour, Office of the Chief Engineer, on the status of the MAPLE reactors.
AECL appoints new Senior Vice-President & Chief Technology Officer
Mississauga, 2009 July 30 — AECL today announces the appointment of Dr. Anthony (Tony) De Vuono as Senior Vice-President & Chief Technology Officer.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
2009 July 29 — Work continues with specialized vendors on proving repair tooling designs, fabrication of equipment, and cleaning techniques.
Look beyond MAPLE reactors for isotope shortage answer
2009 July 28 — The following opinion editorial by Jean-Pierre Labrie, Manager of Reactor Physics and Systems Behaviour, Office of the Chief Engineer, AECL, appeared in today's edition of The National Post.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 July 22 — Analysis of the data collected from Non Destructive Examinations (NDE) of the interior of the vessel continues.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 July 15 — The following information bulletin is in accordance with AECL's commitment to enhance its voluntary public disclosure of events related to the Chalk River Laboratories.
AECL signs agreement with China to assess use of thorium fuel in CANDU reactors
Pinghu, China, 2009 July 14 — AECL has signed an agreement with China’s Third Qinshan Nuclear Power Company (TQNPC), China North Nuclear Fuel Corporation (CNNFC) and Nuclear Power Institute of China (NPIC) to cooperate in assessing the use of thorium fuel in CANDU^® power reactors.
Most current assessment of Chalk River NRU reactor allows for revised guidance on timeline for return to service
Toronto, 2009 July 08 — AECL today announced that as a result of the most recent data from the ongoing assessment of the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor condition and the development of a critical path for the various repair options, it is now clear that the NRU will not return to service before late 2009.
AECL-CRL staff make history at Renfrew County Relay For Life
Chalk River, 2009 July 03 — History was made by the Chalk River Laboratories’ staff that participated in the 10^th anniversary of the Renfrew County Relay For Life on Friday, June 5.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 July 02 — AECL provides the following status report on the NRU reactor at its Chalk River Laboratories.
AECL comments on Ontario’s decision to suspend nuclear procurement process
Toronto, 2009 June 29 — In response to an announcement made earlier today by the Government of Ontario to suspend the nuclear procurement process AECL issued the following statement.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 June 24 — AECL provides the following status report on the unplanned shutdown of the NRU reactor at its Chalk River Laboratories.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 June 17 — AECL provides the following status report on the unplanned shutdown of the NRU reactor at its Chalk River Laboratories.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 June 10 — AECL provides the following status report on the unplanned shutdown of the NRU reactor at its Chalk River Laboratories.
AECL delivers on-time communications with launch of RSS news feed
Mississauga, 2009 June 09 — AECL has taken steps to significantly enhance its website capability with the addition of RSS (Really Simple Syndication) news feeds, allowing stakeholders to receive real-time updates when new content is posted.
AECL begins removal of fuel rods on NRU reactor
Chalk River, 2009 June 02 — AECL today announced it has begun the process of removing fuel rods from the NRU reactor as part of the process to repair the reactor and return it to service.
AECL provides update on the NRU reactor
Chalk River, 2009 May 27 — AECL provides the following status report on the unplanned shutdown of the NRU reactor at its Chalk River Laboratories.
AECL provides update on NRU activities
Chalk River, 2009 May 22 — AECL provides the following update of activities related to the unplanned shutdown of NRU at Chalk River Laboratories.
Unplanned shutdown of NRU reactor extended
Chalk River, 2009 May 18 — AECL reported on Friday, May 15^th that the NRU reactor was safely shut down on Thursday, May 14^th due to a loss of electrical power that occurred in parts of eastern Ontario and western Quebec.
Canada is ready to ride the nuclear renaissance wave
AECL president outlines potential for nuclear to become one of Canada’s major industrial sectors
Toronto, 2009 May 13 — Canada’s nuclear industry, largely based in Ontario, has the potential to become one of the largest industrial sectors in the country, says AECL's president and CEO Hugh MacDiarmid.
CNSC to start design compliance review of Enhanced CANDU 6 nuclear reactor
Service agreement between AECL and CNSC signed
Mississauga, 2009 May 12 — AECL and the CNSC have signed a service agreement to review the Enhanced CANDU 6™ (EC6™) nuclear reactor.
Expanding nuclear industry offers opportunities for Windsor-Essex
AECL chair outlines opportunities for area manufacturers and skilled workers
Windsor, 2009 May 12 — Windsor-Essex Region has the skills, experience, and intellectual resources to become integral players in Canada’s expanding nuclear industry, says AECL's chair Glenna Carr.
AECL issues $15 million in contracts to Canadian manufacturers
CANDU qualified suppliers begin work on ACR-1000 nuclear reactor
Ottawa, 2009 May 04 — AECL has signed contracts with 18 Canadian manufacturers to build components for its Advanced CANDU^® Reactor^® (ACR-1000^®) to ready the reactor design for domestic and international sale.
Durham Region can be Canada’s nuclear energy capital
AECL Chair sees opportunity for area as nuclear becomes world’s energy source of choice
Oshawa, 2009 March 19 — Durham Region has the strong manufacturing and services base, the workforce skills and experience, along with the intellectual resources to make it Canada’s nuclear energy capital, and a winning competitor in the world’s energy markets, says AECL's Chair of the Board of Directors, Glenna Carr.
AECL cuts the ribbon on G.C. Laurence Hall
Deep River, 2009 March 03 — AECL has officially opened G.C. Laurence Hall, their fourth office building in Deep River. Located on Ridge Road, the landmark building has had a colourful part to play in the history of the town; first as the Deep River Hospital, and in more recent history, as the A&P grocery store.
NRU Status Report
Chalk River, 2009 February 23 — The following information bulletin is in accordance with AECL’s commitment to enhance its voluntary public disclosure of events related to the Chalk River Laboratories.
AECL's Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR-1000) Achieves Important Milestone of Canadian Regulator's Pre-Project Design Review
Mississauga, 2009 February 20 — The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has completed Phase 1 of a Pre-Project Design Review of AECL's ACR-1000.
Status Report - NRU Reactor returned to service
Chalk River, 2009 February 17 — AECL reports that the NRU reactor was safely returned to service early in the afternoon on Tuesday, February 17th, following an unscheduled outage to repair the mechanism to extract medical isotope rods from the reactor.
NRU Status Report
Chalk River, 2009 February 16 — AECL reports that the NRU reactor was taken out of service on Sunday, February 15th, in order to repair the mechanism to extract medical isotope rods from the reactor.
L&T Signs MOU with AECL for ACR-1000 Reactors
Mumbai, 2009 January 21 — Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Canadian based AECL have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for co-operation on the Advanced CANDU Reactor ACR-1000.

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2009 News Releases