Proposed pebble bed modular reactor
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- Policy/Strategic Issues and Impacts that is reported on
- Radiological Waste Management and Final Disposal
- Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and Materials for Mass Destruction
- Epidemiological Studies
- Radiological Safety
5.conclusionsThe conclusions of the EIR are dealt with in separate parts, namely:
Policy/Strategic Issues and Impacts that is reported onNational Energy Policy White PaperGovernment has pursued its obligations and objectives on the proposed Plant from a technical, economic and environmental point of view. To this end an Expert Review Panel was appointed by the Department of Minerals and Energy to assess the adequacy of information of the Detailed Feasibility and Design Studies; an EIA is being conducted to fulfil the requirements of the Environmental Conservation Act (Act 73 of 1989) and the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998); co-investors were secured to assist with the financing of the detailed feasibility and design studies and to gauge international acceptance and markets; the safety assessment of the design for licensing through the NNR, and ultimately the joint decision process of the Cabinet on the desirability to progress to follow-on phases. The PBMR Plant will:
Radiological Waste Management and Final DisposalA draft National Radioactive Waste Management Policy (NRWMP) was issued by the DM& E in 2001 for public comment. This draft Policy is strategic in nature and sets out the principles and scope for the management of radiological waste(s) generated by the various sectors of the economy e.g. the mining sector, medical sector, food sector and electricity supply sector. The draft Policy is currently under review by the DM&E and it is understood that it will be re-issued in late 2002 for comment. Once this Policy is in place, more directive policies for the various economic sectors and types (classes) of radiological waste (i.e. low, intermediate and high level) may be formulated and issued. While low level (LLW) and intermediate level (ILW) radiological wastes are well guided by policy, and, final deposition facilities for these wastes exist, there is a real need to accelerate the establishment of a Policy and facility(ies) (repository) for the long term management and disposal of long lived radioactive waste i.e. high level radioactive wastes (HLW). Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and Materials for Mass DestructionMuch confusion exists in the public domain about the scope of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Some members of public interpret/perceive the Treaty to intend the total absence of the use of nuclear materials, processes, technology etc. within national boundaries. This Treaty makes provision for the international regulation of nuclear and other materials or precursory materials that may be employed for the manufacture, harbouring and use of devices or weapons of mass destruction. It thus has application to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons as well as specific and implied meaning for the use of such materials for commercial application, since they must be declared and fully accounted for at national and international level. In this regard the Minister of Minerals and Energy functions as the national governor for the implementation of this Treaty, and Safeguards Agreement. The implementation of the Safeguards Agreement require that Subsidiary Agreements be established for the various nuclear facilities that are under safeguards. For example, a Subsidiary Agreement exists (and has always existed) for Koeberg Units 1 and 2. A Subsidiary Agreement existed for the previous BEVA plant where accounting to gram quantities of uranium was required. Similar Subsidiary Agreements would have to be developed and signed for the Fuel Manufacturing Plant as well as for the proposed PBMR Demonstration plant. The design and mode of operation of the respective proposed facilities will form part of the negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in developing the Subsidiary Agreements. It is quite clear that the proposed Plant and associated fuel manufacture facilities have a direct bearing on the Government’s obligations in terms of the Treaty and the Pelindaba Treaty. However, government is well aware of these obligations and will discharge their duties accordingly. In addition, South Africa was instrumental in the formulation of the Pelindaba Treaty or the African Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. It should be noted that this Treaty is about keeping Africa free of Nuclear Weapons. It promotes co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and recognises the right for countries to develop research on, the production of and use of nuclear energy. The Treaty states that parties to the Treaty are determined to promote regional co-operation for the development and practical application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, in the interests of sustainable social and economic development of the African continent.
a. Radiologically induced Cancer(s) due to the operation of nuclear plants Established national and international standards require very strict radiological surveillance of staff and the environmental media (air, water, soil and wildlife). The undertaking of prior epidemiological studies on the public is not stipulated in South African legislation, nor is it part of any international standard set for nuclear power station facilities. The National Nuclear Regulator Act (Act 47 of 1999) provides for the regulation of nuclear activities and to exercises the regulatory control and assurance on the health/safety of workers, property and the environment. The accepted approach to this study (PoS as approved by the DEAT) was to review and be guided by international literature on the subject. (Annexure 3 provides papers from international research on the subject). Based on this literature review, the role of the NNR and the radiological protection programme and the environmental monitoring/surveillance that will be implemented for the proposed Plant, epidemiological study and health monitoring of the public for the proposed Plan is not recommended or required. Assurance that the practices carried out conform to requirement must be demonstrated through operational and environmental monitoring programmes, health monitoring of employees and conformance to the legal requirements as administered by the NNR and in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act No. 85 of 1993). b. HIV/AIDS in the Workplace Eskom has committed itself to the implementation of an HIV/AIDS Policy and Practices to educate and also support infected staff and co-workers. The policy will also be applied to contractors during the construction phase. Radiological SafetyOf specific concern to the authority(ies) and the public is the issue of radiological safety to man and the environment. This EIR reports on the safety features related to the design and operation of the Plant as well as that of radiological waste management whether gaseous, liquid or solid and confirms conformance to the fundamental safety criteria laid down by the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR). Directory: system -> files files -> Haiti Relief – esf 15 Support Organization Situation Report # 17 1/28/10 files -> Haiti Relief – esf 15 Support Organization Situation Report # 16 1/27/10 files -> Right to Carbon or Right to Life: Human Rights Approaches to Climate Change files -> Enhancing interactive learning in the classroom with Turning Point files -> Curriculum vita files -> - files -> Acknowledgements files -> Nw, Washington D. C 20037 Telephone: (202)884-1080, (202)939-6125/7 files -> Grey-headed Flying-fox Management Strategy for the Lower Hunter Grey-headed Flying-fox Download 3.55 Mb. Share with your friends:
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