Unfortunately, the role of the Authority has already been radically changed since it was originally proposed. The NDA is now continuing to oversee the operation of nuclear facilities which create nuclear waste - thus adding to a major problem. For example, the NDA runs BNFL's ageing, loss-making Magnox reactors, plus two spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plants and a MOX plant at Sellafield. This will mean an ever increasing bill for the taxpayer.
The NDA will also be used to help implement the Government's bailout of the failed private nuclear company British Energy, and indeed any other future private nuclear operator.
There are also concerns that the legislation is worded so that the NDA might even be able to build nuclear power plants to burn plutonium fuel created at Sellafield. This could have major safety and security implications.
The Energy Act, which established the NDA, failed to give it any overarching environmental and human health protection principles. We are concerned that this could lead to:
- inappropriate methods of nuclear waste management being promoted
- decommissioning being used as an excuse for increased discharges of radioactivity to the environment
- a failure to prioritise the most hazardous waste
- unnecessary transfers of nuclear waste from one site to another.
We believe the NDA should only deal with 'legacy' wastes. It should be given a clearly defined objective, underscored with best environmental and organisational principles, including duties to avoid or minimise waste creation and a statutory duty to consult all stakeholders and the public at large. The NDA could then gain wide public confidence, and begin the long job of cleaning up the nuclear mess the government and nuclear industry has created in the UK.
The Government published its draft 'Nuclear Sites and Radioactive Substances Bill' for consultation in June 2003. After amendments in the House of Commons, this eventally became the Energy Act 2004. The following briefing documents were produced during the consultation phase.
Briefing documents:
- The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (PDF)
- The NDA and Environmental Principles (PDF)
- Issues briefing on the Nuclear Sites and Radioactive Substances Bill (PDF)
- Pauk Lasok QC:Advice on the Energy Bill 2004
- Greenpeace's submission on the Draft Nuclear Sites and Radioactive Substances Bill (2003)
Download Greenpeace's submission on the NDA.
