Head Office Press Office - 15-Jan-2007 - The UK’s principal
nuclear regulators published today, (Thursday, January 11),
new guidance enabling an integrated approach to the assessment
of nuclear power station designs that provides comprehensive
protection for people and the environment.
‘The Generic Assessment of Candidate Nuclear Power Plant
Design’ has been jointly published by the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE), the Environment Agency (EA), the Scottish
Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Office for
Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS).
The regulators have worked closely together in developing
their generic assessment processes. They are committed to
ensuring their assessments are rigorous and robust, conducted
in an open and transparent manner, and properly involve
the public and stakeholders. Early scrutiny of designs will
help ensure regulatory resources are applied at a stage
when greater influence can be brought to bear.
The Government’s report on the Energy Review, "The
Energy Challenge", released on 11 July 2006, stated
Government’s belief that nuclear power should have a role
in the future UK generating mix, alongside other low-carbon
options. Since then, the Department for Trade and Industry
has carried out further consultation on the policy framework
for new nuclear build, and will be publishing its findings
in a White Paper later this year.
The Environment Agency (England and Wales) regulates radioactive
waste disposal, air quality, cooling water discharges and
operation of "conventional plant" such as emergency
stand-by power supplies and radioactive waste incinerators.
It is also involved in flood risk management, contaminated
land remediation and construction waste disposal.
"Although, ultimately, the Government will decide
whether or not nuclear power stations are needed to meet
the UK’s energy demands, the Environment Agency insists
all nuclear installations meet high standards of safety,
security, environmental performance and waste management,"
explained Environment Agency Head of Radioactive Substances
Regulation Joe McHugh.
"Assessing designs at an early stage is good for the
environment and safety because we can influence the design
so as to ensure people and the environment are properly
protected. It is good for the public and other stakeholders
because they can be well informed and engaged as part of
our decision making, and it is good for the companies involved
as they can make better informed investment decisions."
The new guidance states:-
The information reactor vendors, potential operators and
other interested parties will be expected to provide so
their proposals can be assessed.
The processes that will be followed to ensure the assessment
of generic designs is rigorous and robust, conducted in
an open and transparent manner (subject to nuclear security
and commercially-confidential restrictions), and involves
stakeholders, including the public, at an early stage.
At the end of the generic assessment, the regulators will
each provide their views about the acceptability of a new
nuclear power station design.
Assessment of new nuclear power station designs
"If an application is made to build a new nuclear
power station on a specific site, the regulators will follow
their existing regulatory processes before deciding whether
or not to issue a nuclear site licence, environmental authorisations
and permits, and security plan approval," added Joe
McHugh.
"Where these site-specific applications are based
on a generic design that has undergone assessment, the regulators
will take full account of the work they have already carried
out and would continue to work together at all stages. "