Commission opinions clear plans for disposal of radioactive waste at one UK and two German power stations

Brussels, 3 September 2002

Commission Opinion of 30 August 2002 concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste resulting from modifications at the site of the Isar Nuclear Power Station KKI in the Federal Republic of Germany in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty (OJ C208/2 3.9.2002). Text [NB links expire 45 days from publication date]

On 30 January 2002, the European Commission received from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, general data relating to the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste resulting from modifications at the site of the Isar Nuclear Power Station KKI.

On the basis of these data, the Commission has considered that the plan concerned modifications to an existing plan on which an opinion had already been given. The Commission has further taken into consideration that the intermediate storage facility for irradiated fuel resulting from those modifications is designed to operate up to 40 years and could remain in operation after decommissioning and dismantling of the existing plant. Following consultation with the group of experts, the Commission has drawn up the following opinion:

(a) The planned modifications require no changes to the existing authorised limits for gaseous and liquid discharges.

(b) The planned modifications have no consequences in relation to the solid radioactive waste arising from the operation of the existing plant.

(c) The planned modifications have no consequences in relation to the unplanned discharges of radioactive substances, which may follow an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the general data of the existing plan.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste in whatever form resulting from modifications at the site of the Isar Nuclear Power Station KKI, located in the Federal Republic of Germany, both in normal operation and in the event of an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the general data, is not liable to result in radioactive contamination, significant from the point of view of health, of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.

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Commission Opinion of 30 August 2002 concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste resulting from modifications at the site of the Neckarwestheim Nuclear Power Station GKN in the Federal Republic of Germany in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty (OJ C208/3 3.9.2002). Text

On 12 February 2002, the European Commission received from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, general data relating to the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste resulting from modifications at the site of the Neckarwestheim Nuclear Power Station GKN....

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste in whatever form resulting from modifications at the site of the Neckarwestheim Nuclear Power Station GKN, located in the Federal Republic of Germany, both in normal operation and in the event of an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the general data, is not liable to result in radioactive contamination, significant from the point of view of health, of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.

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Commission Opinion of 30 August 2002 concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from the dismantling of the UKAEA Dounreay Fast Reactor located in the United Kingdom in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty (OJ C208/2 3.9.2002). Text

On 4 February 2002, the European Commission received from the Government of the United Kingdom, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, general data relating to the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from the dismantling of the UKAEA Dounreay Fast Reactor.

On the basis of these data, and following consultation with the group of experts, the Commission has drawn up the following opinion:

(a) The distance between the plant and the nearest point of another Member State, in this case Denmark, is approximately 370 km.

(b) Under normal operating conditions, the discharges of liquid and gaseous effluents will not cause an exposure of the population in other Member States significant from the point of view health.

(c) Solid intermediate level and low level radioactive wastes are stored at the site.

(d) In the event of umplanned discharges of radioactive waste, which may follow an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the general data, the doses likely to be received by the population in other Member States would not be significant from the point of view of health.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste in whatever form arising from the dismantling of the UKAEA Dounreay Fast Reactor in the United Kingdom, both in normaloperation and in the event of an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the general data, is not liable to result in radioactive contamination, significant from the point of view of health, of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.

Official Journal of the EC, C208 3.9.2002