The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

 

A high-level UK delegation attended a conference in Norway as part of the ongoing dialogue between Sellafield and Nordic stakeholders.

The recent conference, attended by representatives from Sellafield, the NDA and the new Office for Nuclear regulation (ONR)  followed a fact-finding visit to Sellafield  by Norwegian Environment Minister Erik Solheim who was accompanied by representatives from Bergen, Stavanger, the Norwegian government, regulator, Non-Governmental-Organisations (NGOs) and the media.

The event, jointly organised by Sellafield Ltd and two Norwegian NGOs, Bellona and Guardians of our Common Seas, was the latest in a series of meetings dating back to 2003 aimed at sharing information and confidence-building between all the parties.

At the event, aimed at providing updated information particularly about the management of Highly Active Liquor (HAL) stored at Sellafield, Nordic stakeholders were informed about the imminent change to the HAL Specification. The change is designed to enable a quicker programme for reprocessing and consequentially hazard reduction at Sellafield. The Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA) has previously published two reports about the potential impact on Norway from a study based on a hypothetical accident resulting in a release of radioactivity. Discussions also took place about Sellafield in the context of events in Fukushima.

 

Ian Hudson, the NDA's Head of Programme Sellafield, said:

"This was my first participation in the dialogue and I was encouraged at the spirit of co-operation and openness in which the conference took place. We understand the concern of the Norwegians and our aim was to ensure they understood how the change to the HAL specification will help us reduce the hazards at Sellafield quicker. We are committed to further meetings and the continued exchange of information. We look forward to welcoming the Norwegians when they come to West Cumbria in 2012 for the next conference."

The event concluded with a statement jointly agreed between Sellafield and the Norwegian NGOs.

Joint statement from the InfoArena – nuclear waste and safety

The meeting held in Stamsund 13 April was jointly hosted by Guardians of our Common Seas (GCS – formerly Lofoten mot Sellafield), Sellafield Ltd and the Bellona Foundation. It was the latest in a series of jointly held events dating back to 2003. It focussed on the risks relating to nuclear waste at Sellafield and was an important venue for the different stakeholders to share information and concerns in an open and direct manner.

The meeting was addressed by a variety of key stakeholders including:

Audun Garberg, representing the Norwegian Ministry of the Environment

Jane Owen, UK's Ambassador to Norway

Ivar Kristiansen, Norwegian MP, Conservative Party

Jan Lindholm, Swedish representative to the Nordic Council

Ingar Amundsen, Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority

Álfheidur Ingadóttir Icelandic representative to the Nordic Council

Stuart MacVean, Sellafield Ltd's Executive Director for Spent Fuels

Ian Hudson, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's Head of the Sellafield programme

Mark Bassett, Deputy Chief Inspector of the Office for Nuclear Regulation.

Together they considered presentations on the plans for reducing the hazard from the highly active liquor (HAL) stored at Sellafield. Having considered the new regulatory requirements for HAL stocks GCS and Bellona need further and more detailed information. The conference also focussed on why reprocessing, which produces HAL, is being carried out and the progress being made in improving the safety culture at Sellafield.

As part of the conference's conclusion the organisers agreed that a further conference will be arranged to take place in West Cumbria during the summer of 2012. All participants of the conference remain committed to the established platform of continuing dialogue and the importance of an open and frank exchange of views that is vital for a common understanding.

Bellona and GCS seek the speedy emptying of tanks containing HAL and to ensure that reprocessing plants of THORP and Magnox are operated safely. In addition GCS and Bellona would like information that provides assurance that HAL stored at Sellafield does not represent a considerable pollution risk to the Nordic countries in the event of a serious accident. They will pursue this through the agenda of the next meeting. Sellafield Ltd (and their owners Nuclear Management Partners) and the NDA take the views and concerns of Norwegian stakeholders seriously and have participated willingly in this conference. They hope that the information exchanged has been beneficial to all who have participated and will help with a wider audience understanding of the Sellafield site and its activities.

The organisers underline their belief that continued discussions, between the UK and Norwegian regulators, is a vital component of the dialogue.

Guardians of our Common Seas

Sellafield Ltd

The Bellona Foundation