Commission Opinion

of 21 April 2009

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

(Only the French text is authentic)

2009/C 93/02

On 24 November 2008, 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 Civaux 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 distance from the power station to the closest point in a neighbouring country, namely Jersey (the Channel Islands, British Crown Dependencies), is approximately 360 km. For the Member States, the distance is approximately 400 km for Spain and approximately 470 km for the United Kingdom and Belgium.

2. The planned modification will lead to a general decrease of the gaseous and liquid discharge limits, except for liquid tritium for which an increase is foreseen.

3. During normal operation, the planned modification will not cause an exposure liable to affect the health of the population of another Member State or a neighbouring country.

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 modification to the fuel management system will not give rise to doses liable to affect the health of the population of another Member States or a neighbouring country.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the modified plan for the disposal of radioactive waste from the Civaux 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 or a neighbouring country.

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