Proposal for further €500m for decommissioning old nuclear reactors:Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia

EUROPEAN COMMISSION. Brussels, 24.11.2011.COM(2011) 783 final.2011/0363 (NLE). The assistance will be available to Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia if they meet set conditions, including a requirement to comply fully with EU nuclear safety and management rules.The present proposal for a Council Regulation foresees an extension of financial support from the Union with the general objective to reach an irreversible state within the decommissioning process of Kozloduy units 1 to 4, Ignalina units 1 and 2 and Bohunice V1 units 1 and 2 nuclear power plants, in accordance with their respective decommissioning plans, while keeping the highest level of safety.

The Union's financial support is an expression of European solidarity towards Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia. However, the ultimate responsibility for nuclear safety remains with the Member States concerned, which also implies the ultimate responsibility for its financing,including the financing of decommissioning. Any such financing from EU or national sources which constitutes state aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the TFEU shall be
implemented in compliance with the relevant EU state aid rules.

It is expected from the three Member States that they are ready to provide the required additional financing to cover the remaining financial needs in order to ensure efficient and effective use of the additional Union support as well as to ensure the transition towards full Member State funding for the completion of safe decommissioning. Based on the current cost estimations for decommissioning this means in the order of €668 million for Bulgaria, €1140 million for Lithuania and €321 million for Slovakia. New commitment appropriations will be entered into the EU budget until the end of 2017 for the Bohunice and Ignalina Programme and until the end of 2020 for the Kozloduy Programme. However, on the basis of these commitments appropriations, payment appropriations will continue for several more years, most likely at least until 2021 for Bohunice and Ignalina and until 2024 for Kozloduy These appropriations will be subject to a review by the end of 2015 within the framework of an interim evaluation.

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION on Union support for the nuclear decommissioning assistance programmes in Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakiaa

Source of Iodine-131 in Europe Identified

IAEA. Press Release 2011/27 17 November 2011. The IAEA has received information from the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority (HAEA) that the source of the iodine-131 (I-131) detected in Europe was most probably a release to the atmosphere from the Institute of Isotopes Ltd., Budapest. The Institute of Isotopes Ltd. produces radioisotopes for healthcare, research and industrial applications. According to the HAEA, the release occurred from September 8 to November 16, 2011. The cause of the release is under investigation.

As previously mentioned, the levels of I-131 that have been detected in Europe are extremely low. There is no health concern to the population. If any member of the public were to breathe iodine for a whole year at the levels measured in European countries, then they would receive a dose in the range of 0.01 microsieverts for the year. To put this into perspective, the average annual background is 2400 microsieverts per year.

The IAEA was first notified of the presence of trace levels of I-131 by authorities from the Czech Republic on 11 November. Since this notification, the IAEA contacted several member states throughout the region to determine the cause and origin. The IAEA also worked with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to conduct air dispersion modelling, as part of efforts to determine the source. 

Upton Welcomes GAO Recommendations for Enhanced Planning and Collaboration in Nuclear Fuel Cycle Research & Development

November 16, 2011. WASHINGTON, DC– Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) today welcomed recommendations in a new GAO report regarding the Department of Energy’s nuclear fuel cycle research and development efforts. Upton requested the report with Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) and former Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA). GAO’s review found that DOE should enhance its planning and its collaboration with industry and other countries in pursing such research and development.

Upton made the following statement on the report’s recommendations:

“Nuclear energy is a critical part of the nation’s energy supply portfolio. I support the report’s recommendations to enhance DOE’s current research and planning efforts for the development of nuclear fuel cycle and associated technologies. Increased collaboration with industry and other countries will help address technical challenges, assist the development of advanced technologies, and promote the expanded use of nuclear power necessary to meet our nation’s growing energy demands.”

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Options Doe.Needs to Enhance Planning for Technology Assessment and Collaboration with Industry and Other Countries