Commission's opinion clears disposal of radioactive wase from Cattenom nuclear power station

Brussels, 18 October 2004

Commission opinion of 22 June 2004 concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste resulting from the modification of authorisations for discharges of liquid radioactive effluent from the Cattenom nuclear power station in France, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty (OJ C256/4 16.10.2004).
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On 6 January 2004, the European Commission received from the French Government, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, general data relating to the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste resulting from the modification of authorisations for discharges of liquid radioactive effluent from the Cattenom nuclear power station.

On the basis of these data and the memo addressed to the European Commission by the Permanent Representation of France on 5 April 2004, and following consultation with the group of experts, the Commission has drawn up the following opinion:

(a) the distance from the installation to the nearest town on the territory of another Member State is 11 km to Burmerange in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg: Perl in Germany is 14 km away;

(b) the planned modification will lead to a general decrease of the gaseous and liquid discharge limits except for liquid tritium for which an increase is foreseen;

(c) during normal operation, the planned modification will not cause an exposure of the population in another Member State that is significant from the point of view of health;

(d) in the event of unplanned releases of radioactive effluents resulting from an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the initial general data, the planned modification will not give rise to any significant effect from the point of view of health on the population of another Member State.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste in whatever form resulting from the modification of authorisations of discharges of liquid radioactive effluents from the Cattenom nuclear power station, located in France, both in normal operation and in the event of an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the general data, is not liable to result in the radioactive contamination, significant from the point of view of health, of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.

Official Journal of the EC, No. C256/4 16.10.2004