Commission Opinion

of 18 October 2010

relating to the modified plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from the Georges Besse II enrichment facility, located at the Tricastin site in France, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty

(Only the French text is authentic)

2010/C 282/02

On 27 April 2010, 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 Georges Besse II enrichment facility.

On the basis of these data and additional information requested by the Commission on 8 June 2010 and provided by the French authorities on 29 July 2010, and following consultation with the Group of Experts, the Commission has drawn up the following opinion:

1. The distance between the facility and the nearest border with another Member State, in this case Italy, is approximately 175 km. The next nearest Member State is Spain, at a distance of approximately 250 km.

2. The planned modifications concern an increase of the discharge limits for airborne radioactive effluents as well as an increase of the transfer limits for liquid radioactive effluents to onsite waste treatment plants.

3. During normal operations, the planned modifications are not liable to affect the health of the population of 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 General Data, the doses received in another Member State will not be liable to affect the health of the population.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the modified plan for the disposal of radioactive waste in whatever form arising from the Georges Besse II enrichment facility, located at the Tricastin site 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 the radioactive contamination of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.

Done at Brussels, 18 October 2010.

For the Commission

Günther Oettinger

Member of the Commission

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