The European Commission (EC) has proposed a package of measures aimed at reinforcing the "transparency of planned investments in nuclear installations with a view to enhance inter alia safety and security." Loyola de Palacio, vice president in charge of energy and transport said: "Our goal is to reinforce procedures so that as from the planning stage, any new investment in nuclear installations complies with safety and security rules. 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." At the planning stage the commission would be able to provide its input and discuss with operators all security and safety aspects, as well as plans for decommissioning and for the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste.
The commission 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. The commission would be able to discuss these decommissioning projects as well to check whether European safety rules are fully respected.
It is also proposed to require undertakings to include in their communication of new nuclear investment information regarding public financial support.
