Power Engineering - Draft UK Nuclear Bill published

24 June 2003 - The challenge of cleaning up the UK's civil nuclear legacy was addressed today with the publication of the Government's blueprint for action - the draft Nuclear Sites and Radioactive Substances Bill.

The draft Bill provides for the establishment of a dedicated public body responsible for the clean up programme - the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

In addition to establishing the statutory framework for NDA, the draft bill facilitates the introduction of competition in order to ensure the best possible skills are brought to bear on the task and are being used to best effect. It provides for the transfer of assets and liabilities to the NDA and the consequential restructuring of BNFL as set out in the White Paper and sets out a list of statutory consultees.

The bill also provides the necessary authority for the NDA to carry out functions that support the clean up programme including, carrying out research, education and training, supporting the social and economic development of local communities and raising the profile of clean up.

It delivers statutory means for protecting the pensions position of Employees and includes provisions that implement European wide changes to the Paris and Brussels Conventions on nuclear insurance and amends the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 to allow for a fast track
process for discharge authorisations.

Energy Minister Stephen Timms said, "The clean up of our nuclear legacy is one of the most important challenges we face in the coming years. The draft bill published today clearly demonstrates the Government's commitment to meeting this challenge and dealing with the UK's nuclear legacy safely, securely, cost effectively and in ways that protect the environment for the benefit of current and future generations.

"The task ahead cannot be underestimated. With costs for the successful completion of the project currently estimated at £48bn it is essential that we establish a single publicly accountable body to take strategic management control of the clean up process.

"The NDA will operate to the highest safety standards; it will utilise and build on the expertise of BNFL and UKAEA; it will carry out its remit openly, transparently and with the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders; and, it will fulfil this remit whilst maximising value for money for the taxpayer.

"The NDA will be the first decommissioning authority of its kind in Europe and as such it is ideally placed to ensure that the UK becomes an international centre of excellence for nuclear clean up, delivering the financial, educational and employment rewards that come with such opportunities."

A commitment to publish draft legislation was announced in the Queen's Speech (November 2002), and followed on from last year's White Paper "Managing the Nuclear Legacy - a Strategy for Action" (July 2002, Cm 5552). Responses to the White Paper from stakeholders indicated wide support for the proposals to establish a dedicated clean up authority and change management arrangements - based on this draft legislation was taken forward.

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