In the spirit of “elbows up,” questions are being raised about why the management of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is being turned over to a group of US companies.
Beyond questions, Ole Hendrickson of the Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area has now launched an official online petition through the House of Commons to delay, if not stop the process.
The questions and petition relate back to the decision by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd to award a new management contract for CNL under the government-owned, contractor-operated (GoCo) model.
AECL announced last month that “Nuclear Laboratories Partners of Canada” had been selected as the preferred bidder for the contract.
Nuclear Laboratories Partners of Canada (NLPC) has three primary partners – BWXT Government Group, Amentum Environment & Energy, and Kinectrics Inc – with Battelle Memorial Institute included as key subcontractor, AECL said in its announcement.
“Nuclear Laboratories Partners of Canada Inc brings significant experience in managing sites similar to AECL’s, including a management team with extensive and relevant experience working in the Canadian nuclear and energy context,” the announcement said.
NLPC is expected to assume responsibility for CNL, with Dennis Carr as president and CEO, on September 13.
Online, Hendrickson’s petition (e-6636) says Canada is “poised to award a multi-billion dollar contract – the largest federal contract ever – to a consortium of US companies.”
Hendrickson says the new contract would last up to 20 years, cost taxpayers over $24 billion, and “allow private commercial work at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited sites across Canada.”
“Hundreds of millions of dollars in contract management fees would be paid annually to firms that operate US nuclear weapons facilities”…
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