Commission Opinion

of 20 October 2009

relating to the modified plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from the Chooz-B Nuclear Power Station, located in France, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty

(Only the French text is authentic)

2009/C 251/01

On 20 April 2009, the European Commission received from the French Government, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, General Data relating to the modified plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from the Chooz-B Nuclear Power Station.

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

1. The distances from the power station to the nearest Member States are: 3,5 km for Belgium, 70 km for Luxembourg, 95 km for Germany, 97 km for the Netherlands and 270 km for the United Kingdom.

2. The planned modifications will involve an overall reduction in the limits for gaseous and liquid discharges, except in the case of liquid tritium, for which an increase is foreseen.

3. During normal operating conditions, the planned modifications will not cause an exposure liable to affect the health of the population in another Member State.

4. In the event of unplanned releases of radioactive effluents which may follow an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the initial General Data, the planned modifications to the fuel management system will not be liable to affect the health of the population in another Member State.

However, in the occurrence of a more severe accident situation, the doses to the population could reach levels requiring countermeasures to be carried out by the competent authorities. The proximity of the Belgian territory entails that the relevant Belgian authorities receive as rapidly and in as much detail as the French authorities the specific data necessary for the information and protection of the population. The Commission notes that a site-specific bilateral cooperation agreement in the case of incidents or accidents has been signed by the French and Belgian governments on 8 September 1998, thus achieving compliance with the recommendation to that effect made in the initial Commission Opinion of 1994.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the modified plan for the disposal of radioactive waste from the Chooz-B Nuclear Power Station, located in France, 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 of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.

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