AECL arrogance caused medical isotope shortage

OTTAWA – The Green Party is sharply criticizing Stephen Harper’s Conservative government for its handling of the medical isotope shortage. The National Research Universal (NRU) reactor in Chalk River was shut down last month for lengthy repairs, sparking a world-wide shortage in radioisotopes used for crucial diagnostic medical tests.

“Mr. Harper has treated the isotope crisis as a mere spat between Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) and its regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC),” said Green Party leader Elizabeth May. “But the problem is that AECL cut corners and did not fulfill the conditions of its license. As the prized sacred cow of the federal government, AECL lives off lavish subsidies and seems to believe it operates above the rule of law. The situation has now come to a head with potentially devastating consequences.”

Ms. May said the AECL failed to bring on stream two “Maple” reactors at the Chalk River facility, which would replace the aged NRU reactor and supply the critical medical isotopes. The Maple reactors are 10 years behind schedule and at least $160 million over budget.

“For years, the nuclear industry has defended itself against critics by saying that reactors provide the radioisotopes that are vital to medical testing. As it turns out, only one does – Chalk River – and its regulator, the CNSC, wants safety upgrades. Tragically, this situation was entirely predictable, given the culture of arrogance at AECL.”

Natural Resources critic Andrew Lewis said that while the essence of the problem is AECL, the incident illustrates significant problems inherent to nuclear energy production. He added that AECL burns through up to $200 million a year and called for a full public review to determine the fate of AECL and halt the financial meltdown.

“AECL has received over $17.5 billion in taxpayer subsidies over the years,” said Mr. Lewis. “The Maple reactors have been under construction since 1992 and each year we are promised that they will be operational ‘next year’. Meanwhile, 70,000 patients a day who are usually served by NRU are left waiting. When will Mr. Harper get control over publicly-owned AECL, which complies with CNSC regulations only when convenient?”