COMMISSION OPINION

of 20 January 2012

relating to the modified plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from the Blayais Nuclear Power Station, located in France

(Only the French text is authentic)

2012/C 18/01

The assessment below is carried out under the provisions of the Euratom Treaty, without prejudice to any additional assessments to be carried out under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the obligations stemming from it and from secondary legislation.

On 6 September 2011, the European Commission received from the French Government, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, General Data relating to the modified plan for the disposal of radioactive waste arising from the Blayais Nuclear Power Station.

On the basis of these data and following consultation with the Group of Experts, the Commission has drawn up the following opinion:

1.

The distances from the power station to the nearest Member States are 226 km for Spain and 568 km for Italy.

2.

The planned modification aims at using MOx fuel assemblies in two of the four units present on the site (units 3 and 4).

3.

During normal operating conditions, the planned modification will not cause an exposure of the population of another Member State that is significant from the point of view of health.

4.

In the event of unplanned releases of radioactive effluents which may follow an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the General Data, the planned modification is not likely to lead to doses to the population of another Member State that would be significant from the point of view of health.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the modified plan for the disposal of radioactive waste in whatever form from the Blayais 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 a radioactive contamination of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State that would be significant from the point of view of health.

Done at Brussels, 20 January 2012.

For the Commission

Günther OETTINGER

Member of the Commission