HEU REPATRIATION PROJECT

RATIONALE In April 2010, the governments of and the United States (U.S.) committed to work cooperatively to repatriate spent highly- enriched (HEU) fuel currently stored at the in Ontario to the U.S. as part of the Global Threat Reduction Initiative, a broad international effort to consolidate HEU inventories in fewer locations around the world. This initiative PROJECT BACKGROUND promotes non-proliferation This HEU is the result of two decades of nuclear fuel use at the by removing existing weapons Chalk River Laboratories for Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) grade material from Canada research reactors, the National Research Experimental (NRX) and and transferring it to the National Research Universal (NRU), and for the production of U.S., which has the capability medical isotopes in the NRU, which has benefitted generations of to reprocess it for peaceful Canadians. Returning this material to the U.S. in its existing solid purposes. In March 2012, and liquid forms ensures that this material is stored safely in a Prime Minister Harper secure highly guarded location, or is reprocessed into other forms announced that Canada and that can be used for peaceful purposes. the U.S. were expanding their efforts to return additional Alternative approaches have been carefully considered and inventories of HEU materials, repatriation provides the safest, most secure, and fastest solution including those in liquid form. for the permanent disposition of these materials, thereby eliminating a liability for future generations of Canadians.

For more information on this project contact: Email: [email protected] Canadian Nuclear Laboratories 1-866-886-2325 or visit: www.cnl.ca persons who have a legitimate need to PROJECT GOAL know, such as police or emergency response To repatriate highly- forces. The transportation routes and (HEU) materials to the United States security measures put in place are pre- as part of the Global Threat Reduction approved and agreed to by authorities in Initiative. both Canada and the U.S. THE PLAN ACTIVITIES HEU is transported in packages (casks) 1996 – The Global Threat Reduction that are specifically designed and Initiative established, since then 3,500 certified by the Canadian Nuclear Safety kilograms of HEU and have Commission (CNSC), the U.S. Nuclear been removed from 22 countries (Austria, Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, U.S. Department of Transportation in Greece, Latvia, Libya, Mexico, Philippines, accordance with international safety Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South requirements established by the Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, International Atomic Energy Agency Turkey, and Ukraine). (IAEA). 2010 – Formal commitment to repatriate Canada has an excellent safety record for spent highly-enriched uranium located at the transport of radioactive material. The Chalk River Laboratories. CNSC will not allow the shipment of any 2012 – Completed the repatriation of used radioactive material unless it is convinced Highly Enriched Uranium fuel from CNL’s shut the safety and security of both Canadians down research . and the environment will be protected. 2013 – Completed the repatriation of two Furthermore, stringent security plans for disassembled Highly Enriched Uranium each shipment are required to avoid any SLOWPOKE fuel cores to risk of material falling into the hands of the U.S. unauthorized persons or organizations. Specific details on shipments are considered sensitive, and are limited to Date of Issue: April 2014

For more information on this project contact: Email: [email protected] Canadian Nuclear Laboratories 1-866-886-2325 or visit: www.cnl.ca