Under the proposed directive, or law, those seeking to build nuclear power plants must state how they intend to decommission and manage spent fuel and radioactive waste right from the planning stage, the Commission said in a statement.
The Commission also proposes "to extend this new control to nuclear sites already in operation by being fully informed of decommissioning projects when they are about to be put in place."
Under the proposals, companies seeking to build nuclear power stations would also have to tell the Commission about the degree of public investment in the project, with the aim of better coordinating the project.
"Our goal is now to reinforce procedures so that as from the planning stage, any new investment in nuclear installations complies with safety and security rules," said European Energy Commissioner Loyola de Palacio.
"The proposed new transparent procedures will also ensure
that arrangements for the final decommissioning and for the treatment of nuclear
waste from the installation are the safest possible," she continued.
EUbusiness, 23rd July 2003
Categories: Energy, Environment, Finance