The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has produced guidance on compliance with the Nuclear Reactors (Environmental Impact Assessment for Decommissioning) Regulations 1999 (as amended 2006).
The guidance is intended to be of use to nuclear site licensees, statutory consultation bodies, as well as to other organisations and members of the public who have an interest in the environmental impact of decommissioning nuclear reactors.
The regulations came into force on 19 November 1999 and apply to new nuclear decommissioning projects that began after the regulations came into force and to existing decommissioning projects (that commenced prior to the regulations coming into force) when such projects are subject to a change or extension which may have a significant adverse effect on the environment.
To help licensees determine whether changes to their decommissioning project may result in significant adverse environmental effects, HSE have developed criteria for screening changes or extensions to projects. These screening tools are included in the guidance.
HSE commissioned Atkins to develop tools to assist in the review of the quality of Environmental Statements submitted under the Nuclear Reactors (Environmental Impact Assessments) for Decommissioning Regulations 1999 (as amended 2006). The use of these review tools will facilitate proportionality, consistency and will aid transparency regarding the standards that HSE require from Environmental Statements.
The tools will be used by HSE to reach an initial view on the adequacy of the information contained within the Environmental Statement. The tools can also be used as an aid, by those who produce Environmental Statements under these regulations.
HSE also commissioned Atkins to develop technical guidance notes to support the review of Environmental Statements that are submitted under the Nuclear Reactors (Environmental Impact Assessment for Decommissioning) Regulations 1999 (as amended 2006). The technical guidance notes provide examples of impacts that can arise from nuclear reactor decommissioning projects.
The technical guidance notes are aimed to supplement the use of the review tools.
