Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee members.
I appreciate the opportunity to speak before the committee today. I want to start by saying that the NRU reactor has operated safely. The reactor is operated by some of the most talented and capable people in the nuclear industry. We are deeply aware of and regret the impact this matter has had on the supply and delivery of medical isotopes to patients and their families around the world.
AECL is currently reviewing its own role in the events that led to today's hearing, and we expect to learn valuable lessons that can be applied in the future.
I would like to update you on the operation of the NRU reactor since we appeared last before the committee of the whole on December 11, 2007, and on the connection to the seismically qualified emergency power supplies to main cooling pumps 4 and 5.
I'd like to briefly describe the main and backup power supplies that service NRU. I will then provide a summary of NRU operational activities since December 11 and update you on isotope production.
Pumps 4 and 5 are two of eight main cooling pumps for the NRU reactor. Pumps 1, 4, 5, and 8 were designed to have two independent power supplies, a regular alternating current supply from the power grid that we light our houses and refrigerators with as well as a backup power supply that includes a diesel generator and banks of batteries to keep the pumps operating in case of a loss of alternating current supply.
The emergency power supply, or EPS, as we call it, consists of a separate bank of batteries and diesel generators, and it provides NRU with a third electrical power supply that is seismically qualified. EPS provides emergency backup power to the six safety upgrades that were installed in NRU. EPS is also designed to provide a third power supply to pumps 4 and 5.
I'd like to now update you on the status of the NRU reactor. On December 14, the work on pump 5 was completed and it was connected to EPS. Following the completion of the pump 5 connection to EPS, the reactor was safety restarted to high power in the early morning hours of December 16, 2007. Deliveries of isotopes resumed on December 18, 2007, and have continued at normal production levels since that time. As for the status of the modifications to NRU, I'm pleased to report that on February 1, 2008, the work on pump 4 was completed and it too was connected to the emergency power supply system. Work on both pumps was completed safely.
Following this most recent planned outage, the NRU reactor was restarted safely to high power just after midnight on Saturday, February 2, 2008. The reactor continues to operate safely.
There were two very minor seismic events in the area in December. Neither had any impact on NRU nor compromised its safety. Seismic events of this magnitude are not unusual.
Finally, we are maintaining regular communications with CNSC staff, and we have been open in providing them with relevant and timely information, including documentation relating to this issue and an updated safety case.
We're also providing regular updates on NRU progress, and we are participating in regular meetings with senior CNSC staff. We believe communications are strong and constructive.
In closing, I want to assure the committee that the focus and commitment of my entire team is to continue to operate the NRU reactor and all the licensed facilities on the Chalk River site safely and with due regard to the environment and Canada's international obligations.
The issues that caused the unfortunate shutdown of the NRU reactor, while important, should not distract us from working towards the future of the Canadian nuclear industry. AECL has an excellent track record of developing and delivering innovative nuclear solutions on time and on budget. Canada has one of the most stringent safety systems in the world, and this has been proven by Canada's nuclear safety record to date.
Thank you. I would be pleased to answer your questions.