US, Canadian supply chain organizations team up

US and Canadian nuclear supply chain organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation. The US Nuclear Infrastructure Council and the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries will investigate projects in which their members can collaborate.

US and Canadian nuclear supply chain organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation. The US Nuclear Infrastructure Council (USNIC) and the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCI) will investigate projects in which their members can collaborate.

From left to right, USNIC vice-chairman David Jones, USNIC chairman Bobby Wilson, OCI president Ron Oberth, USNIC executive director David Blee and Excel Services CEO Donald Hoffman (Image: OCI-USNIC)

The MOU was signed in Washington, DC, on 13 July by OCI president and CEO Ron Oberth and USNIC chairman Robert Wilson.

In a joint statement, the organizations said the MOU "outlines several ways that OCI and USNIC can work together, including identifying nuclear project opportunities in the USA, Canada and other countries on which OCI and USNIC members can bring their complementary capabilities in achieving good project outcomes". They noted the MOU will also facilitate collaboration and innovation among Canadian and US nuclear suppliers and research organizations "in furthering the development and deployment of advanced reactors and small modular reactors".

Oberth said, "OCI celebrates this MOU signing and looks forward to building a strong working relationship with the US nuclear supply chain community in ensuring that nuclear power plays a key role in combatting climate change while creating quality long-term jobs in Canada and the USA."

USNIC executive director David Blee added, "We look forward to exploring synergies among our US and Canadian suppliers that can be harnessed to promote innovative products and services to the North American nuclear markets as well as to the rapidly expanding nuclear markets in Asia, the Middle East and Europe."

The OCI, founded in 1979, is an association of 190 leading Canadian suppliers to the nuclear industry in Canada and abroad. Its member companies collectively employ more than 12,000 highly skilled specialists who manufacture major equipment and components and provide engineering services and support to the 19 operating Candu nuclear power reactors in Canada, as well as to Candu and light water reactors abroad.

The USNIC is the leading US business consortium advocate for new nuclear and the promotion of the US supply chain globally. Comprising more than 80 companies, NIC says it "represents the 'Who's Who' of the nuclear supply chain community".

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News