Energy: France renovates its nuclear surveillance system

FRANCE RENOVATES ITS NUCLEAR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

June 2006

Jacques Chirac has kept his New Year promise. In his speech to the nation, France’s President announced his intention to completely revamp the legislative tools that guarantee the transparency and safety of civilian nuclear energy. Mission accomplished!

Jacques Chirac created quite a stir during his traditional New Year speech to the nation. To demonstrate his commitment to the rapid renovation of France’s surveillance system for civilian nuclear installations, Mr. Chirac announced his intention to set up an independent Nuclear Safety High Authority (HASN), thereby fast-tracking an oft-talked-about project. Three months later, on March 28, France’s Minister of Ecology Nelly Olin brought the Nuclear Transparency and Safety bill (known as the TSN Act) before the French Parliament, observing that “the existing legislative structure for monitoring safety at large nuclear facilities is antiquated and incomplete, and consists of a few articles from the 1961 Law on Air Quality. Admittedly, France has nothing to envy of other countries in terms of their nuclear safety and radiation protection best practices, since France’s surveillance of both is efficient, of internationally recognised quality, and great progress has been achieved over the years in terms of transparency. Nonetheless, our legislation is no longer up to the standards of our activities and output”.

In France, nuclear safety is a sensitive issue. The International Atomic Energy Agency (AIEA) estimates that France’s 59 reactors generate some 63 GW, i.e. 78% of the power used in France. In addition, the government has announced the construction of the first EPR in France at Flamanville, a third-generation reactor, signalling its intention to develop atomic energy. Safety is certainly not taken lightly in an area where “zero risk” does not exist.

The TSN Act serves as an umbrella law for monitoring all nuclear activities, from the authorisation to function to nuclear facility operations, including auditing, monitoring, radiation protection and informing the public - immense responsibilities that are no longer under the sole jurisdiction of government authorities. While this “fusion” of competences for nuclear energy sparked some controversy, the bill was adopted on March 30, 2006 at its first reading before the French Parliament.

By revamping the legal framework applicable to nuclear activities and their monitoring, the TSN Act will oversee operator transparency and enhance the quality of the information provided to the general public by recognizing the official status of the Local Information Commissions* (LCI) and by establishing the High Committee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Safety. In addition, the Nuclear Safety High Authority (HASN), an independent institution “endowed with adequate resources and in charge of promoting, developing and implementing nuclear activities”, in keeping with Mr. Chirac’s stated intention, will take over the activities of France’s General Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (DGSNR). While the latter acted under the joint authority of the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Ecology and the Ministry of Health, HASN has been set up as an independent body in order to guarantee its complete autonomy. It comprises a college of five members irrevocably appointed for a six or two-year period **. By incorporating the personnel of the former Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), HASN will lean on some 400 people endeavouring, on a daily basis, to guarantee the safety of French nuclear installations, with an available budget of €88 million as of 2004.

Nelly Olin views “this law as particularly necessary, at a time when France is making important choices regarding civilian nuclear energy. Maintaining a high level of safety, continuously improving the level of safety and relentlessly pursuing progress in terms of transparency are some of the conditions required for a nuclear system that serves the present generation and respects the needs of future generations”. Mrs. Olin also added that the TSN Act “reflects the key principles of the French Charter for the Environment”, a key document incorporated into France’s constitutional structure one year ago.

Bruno Gimmig

* There are some 30 Local Information Commissions (CLI) in France established in close proximity to a nuclear installation. Each commission is composed of elected officials and associations. As key representatives of civil society, the commissions are tasked with monitoring the impact of nuclear installations and keeping the French population informed using all means necessary.
** Three members are appointed by the French President, one by the President of the French Parliament and one by the President of the French Senate.

Last updated: 22.06.2006