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COMMISSION OPINION

of 20 July 1989

concerning the Penly nuclear power station, Units 1 and 2 (France)

(Only the French text is authentic)

(89/476/Euratom)

The general data concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste from the Penly nuclear power station (Units 1 and 2) were provided by the French Government to the Commission, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, by letter received on 3 April 1989.

On the occasion of the meeting of the Group of Experts set up pursuant to the Treaty, which took place on 8 June 1989 in Cherbourg, the representatives of the French Government provided further complementary information and details.

On the basis of the data thus obtained and having consulted the Group of Experts the Commission drew up the following opinion:

1. The distance from the installation to the closest point on the territory of another Member State, the United Kingdom, is approximately 100 km; Belgium is 150 km distant.

2. In normal operation of the power station its liquid and gaseous effluent discharges are not liable to give rise to significant exposure of the population of other Member States.

3. Solid radioactive wastes are to be stored only temporarily on the power station site prior to transport to a final storage site under State supervision.

Similarly, irradicated fuel elements are to be stored at the plant site prior to transfer to a reprocessing plant. Their transfer outside French territory is not foreseen.

4. In the case of an unplanned release of radioactive effluents which could be occasioned by an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the general data, doses liable to be received in other Member States will not be significant from the health point of view.

France has signed a bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom concerning the exchange of information in case of nuclear incidents or accidents; a similar agreement is being worked out with Belgium. These agreements also allow for hypothetical accidents, having radiological consequences more important than those presented in the general data, to be taken into account.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste from Penly nuclear power station is not liable, either in normal operation or in the case of an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the general data to result in radioactive contamination, significant from the point of view of health, of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.

This opinion is addressed to the French Republic.

Done at Brussels, 20 July 1989.

For the Commission

Carlo RIPA DI MEANA

Member of the Commission