CNSC, AECL comment on "Lessons Learned" review

OTTAWA, CANADA - The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) announce that Talisman International, LLC has concluded its "lessons learned" report related to the circumstances that led up to the extended outage of AECL's National Research Universal (NRU) reactor in Chalk River, Ontario in November and December 2007.

The independent review consisted of document reviews and interviews, and was focused on renewal of the NRU licence in 2005 and 2006 and the extended outage in late 2007. As part of its mandate, Talisman was asked to identify the underlying causes of the extended outage and to make recommendations for improvements in both organizations that would prevent a repeat occurrence or similar situation.

The report outlines 15 specific recommendations, which CNSC and AECL have fully accepted. The report also includes responses by both organizations to these recommendations and outlines the actions that will be taken to address each recommendation.

CNSC and AECL have examined the lessons learned report carefully, and recognize the need to clarify licence requirements and improve the implementation, tracking and completion of licensing commitments. Both organizations have already taken action to improve communications at all levels, including a process to allow for senior management oversight and resolution when warranted.

Commenting on the review, CNSC President Michael Binder stated, "To address the review team's findings and recommendations, CNSC has put a corrective action plan in place with aggressive timelines. We are working to ensure a constructive relationship with AECL and to ensure that the NRU licence conditions and outstanding commitments are clearly defined and understood."

"We accept the lessons learned report and are committed to taking the actions required to ensure our operational processes and communications practices are adjusted in accordance with the recommendations," said AECL's President and CEO Hugh MacDiarmid. "I will be personally overseeing the implementation of these improvements to ensure they are in place as quickly as possible and we are confident that the actions we are taking to address the recommendations will prevent any similar situations in the future."

Related News

manitoba hydro building

Pandemic causes drop in electricity demand across the province: Manitoba Hydro

WINNIPEG - The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a drop in the electricity demand across the province, according to Manitoba Hydro.

On Tuesday, Manitoba Hydro said it has tracked overall electrical use, which includes houses, farms and businesses both large and small.

Hydro said it has seen about a six per cent reduction in the daily peak electricity demand, adding this is due to the many businesses and downtown offices which are temporarily closed.


"Currently, the impact on Manitoba electricity demand appears to be consistent with what we saw during the 2008 recession," Bruce Owen, the media relations officer for Manitoba Hydro, said…

READ MORE
tesla charging

Tesla updates Supercharger billing to add cost of electricity use for other than charging

READ MORE

Hundreds of Canadian power crews are heading to Florida

Canadian power crews head to Irma-hit Florida to help restore service

READ MORE

aps logo

APS asks customers to conserve energy after recent blackouts in California

READ MORE

tornado survivor

Survivors of deadly tornadoes may go weeks without heat, water, electricity, Kentucky officials say

READ MORE