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| Natural Resources Canada 2003/50 July 24, 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------CANADA AND U.S. SIGN ARRANGEMENT ON NUCLEAR RESEARCH COLLABORATION OTTAWA - Canada and the United States signed an arrangement on June 17, 2003, that enables collaborative research and development in nuclear energy. This arrangement between Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is connected to the United States International Nuclear Energy Research Initiative, whose goal is to provide an international tool for collaboration in research and development toward sustainable sources of energy. NRCan is supported by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. "The arrangement provides a framework for our two countries to cooperate in research leading to new nuclear energy technology," said the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada. "It reinforces the importance of collaboration in energy research and development, and advances our goals of energy security and sustainable development, both between our countries and within North America." This arrangement, entitled the Canada/USA Implementing Arrangement for Collaboration on Nuclear Energy Research, will permit the two countries to collaborate on a range of short-term and long-term nuclear energy issues. These include advanced next-generation reactors called Generation IV, the use of nuclear power to produce and extract hydrogen, and research and development in nuclear reactor safety. Activities will be aimed at jointly developing an understanding of, and solutions to, common problems associated with the application of nuclear energy. The arrangement will facilitate a response to evolving objectives for nuclear energy systems such as safety, sustainability, security and lower cost. Collaboration on research and development will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with each side managing its own costs. Canada and the United States are part of the Generation IV International Forum, a group of 10 leading nuclear nations that is working to make significant advances in the economics, safety, reliability, proliferation resistance and waste minimization of Generation IV systems. This arrangement is one element of an overarching Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Research and Development, signed in 1998 between DOE and NRCan. Other arrangements already implemented deal with fuel cells, bioenergy, fossil fuels, and micro-generation and community systems. This arrangement advances the Government of Canada's commitment to the sustainable development of our natural resources - contributing to their economic importance and to a strong society and communities through knowledge, innovation, technology and international leadership. By integrating our economic, social and environmental goals, we can ensure our quality of life and build the Canada we want, for ourselves and for future generations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ For more information, media may contact: Alexandra Muir Director of Communications Office of the Minister Natural Resources Canada Ottawa (613) 947-8246 Ghyslain Charron Media Relations Natural Resources Canada Ottawa (613) 992-4447 |