WRITTEN QUESTION P-1440/02

by Mario Mantovani (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 May 2002)

Subject: The problem of radioactive waste on the Ispra site

In the answer to the question to the Commission tabled on 4 February 2000 concerning radioactive waste at the JRC in Ispra (written question E-0217/00(1)) the Commissioner for Research, Mr Busquin, said that the waste was stored appropriately and monitored by instruments and that the Commission had decided, in agreement with the Italian authorities, to review these conditions.

Following this review, what information and findings does the Commission have at its disposal? What reassurance can be given to those living in the environs, who are in a constant state of anxiety because of the possible risks caused by the shortcomings in the disposal and management of the waste generated by the nuclear plant?

What is to be the final destination of the waste? Furthermore, has the final storage location of the waste in question been decided? If so, is it possible to learn the details?

(1) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000, p. 104.

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(14 June 2002)

The management of nuclear installations, as envisaged in Article 8 of the Euratom Treaty makes the Commission responsible throughout the life of a facility until it is de-licensed. Therefore, to comply with national and Community legislation, the Joint Research Center (JRC) is required to decommission its shutdown nuclear installations and manage the associated waste. The nuclear decommissioning and waste management programme of the JRC, spanning a period of about two decades, has the ultimate objective to reach the so-called stage 3 (i.e. a status which allows re-use of the land and of the buildings), as recommended by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Since 1999, when specific funds were dedicated to this programme(1), a series of actions has been undertaken, including the modernisation and/or the construction of treatment plants (e.g. treatment of liquid waste, decontamination plant etc.), the characterisation of waste stored in repositories, the re-conditioning of old waste and the removal of irradiated fuel etc. Annual financial appropriations have been steadily increased from EUR 3,8 million in 1999 to EUR 10,24 million in 2002. For 2003, EUR 13 million have been requested.

Regarding the ISPRA site, all the actions above have been undertaken in close co-operation with the Italian authorities (ANPA) and under their strict supervision. The discussions conducted with these authorities have led to the formulation of the detailed waste treatment programme, of the configuration of the waste treatment facilities being installed on the site, and more specifically, of the reconditioning of the waste stored there. This includes the construction of characterisation plants, of a solid waste treatment plant and of a specific interim store: works are under way.

Of particular importance is the design of this interim store as a result of the co-operation with ANPA. The treated waste will be temporarily stored in this store, while waiting for shipment to its final destination. The national repository will be identified in Italy in accordance with European and the Italian legislation.

Upon receipt of the general data which the Italian Government should provide in due time on the dismantling operations, the Commission will give an opinion on the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste according to the provisions of Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty.

To reassure the local communities, the JRC has launched a number of actions. Specific meetings have been organised with mayors and other representative persons of the villages and towns in the surrounding area. On these occasions, an overall description of the decommissioning programme was given. Moreover, brochures illustrating both the programme and its associated environmental monitoring programme have been distributed. Additional actions are foreseen. Another meeting is planned with local communities and will take place in October/November 2002.

(1) COM(1999) 114 final.