HSE new nuclear reactor design assessment sample e-bulletin

Welcome to the twenty-fourth edition of the Joint Regulators' e-Bulletin: New Nuclear Power Station Assessment (5 November 2009)

The Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency are working together to make sure that any new nuclear power stations built in the UK will meet high standards of safety, security, environmental protection and waste management. We are currently assessing two new nuclear reactor designs.

1. JOINT REGULATORY POSITION STATEMENT ON THE EPR PRESSURISED WATER REACTOR

The UK nuclear safety regulator (HSE's Nuclear Directorate), the French nuclear regulator (ASN), and the Finnish nuclear regulator (STUK) are currently working to assess AREVA's EPR Pressurised Water Reactor. In carrying out their individual assessments, the regulators have all raised issues regarding the design's proposed Control and Instrumentation (C&I) systems, which the company is working to address.

If you wish to find out more information about this, please go to http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2009/hse221009.htm

2. STUDY OF HISTORICAL NUCLEAR REACTOR DISCHARGE DATA

The Environment Agency's Science Department has published a 'Study of historical nuclear reactor discharge data'.

Scientists have analysed more than 10 years' worth of information regarding the radioactive discharges to air and water from more than 25 existing nuclear power stations. These stations included predecessors to those designs currently involved in generic design assessment (GDA). The report compares these historic radioactive discharges to predicted discharges of those reactor designs currently involved in the GDA process. The study will provide the Environment Agency's new build team with essential data that will enable it to assess potential radioactive releases from new designs of nuclear reactor.

The work of the Environment Agency's Science Department is a key ingredient in the partnership between research, policy and operations that enables the Environment Agency to protect and restore our environment. If you wish to find out more information about this, please go to:

REPORT

http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/epages/eapublications.storefront/ 4af16d5d01fb4638273fc0a80296067b/Product/View/SCHO0509BQAM-E-/

ANNEX

http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/epages/eapublications.storefront/ 4af15e57019d8cbe273fc0a8029606b3/Product/View/SCHO0509BQAN&2DE&2DP/

USEFUL LINKS

For more information our assessment process, visit our website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/newreactors

For the latest news on our assessment process, visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/newreactors/latest.htm

For information on how to get involved, visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/newreactors/publicinvolvement.htm

Please share this information with your colleagues and encourage them to register by following this link:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/newreactors/ebulletin.htm

HSE provide a number of other e-Bulletins which you can sign up for or view at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/new/ebulletins/index.htm

The Environment Agency produces an e-bulletin which you can sign up for or view at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/news/32844.aspx