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Statutory Instrument 1999 No. 2892Nuclear Reactors (Environmental Impact Assessment for Decommissioning) Regulations 1999(The document as of February, 2008) STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS1999 No. 2892EUROPEAN COMMUNITIESNuclear Reactors (Environmental Impact Assessment for Decommissioning) Regulations 1999
The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, being the designated[1] Minister for the purpose of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972[2] in relation to measures relating to the requirement for an assessment of the impact on the environment of projects likely to have significant effects upon the environment, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by that section and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations: Citation and commencement 1.These Regulations may be cited as the Nuclear Reactors (Environmental Impact Assessment for Decommissioning) Regulations 1999 and shall come into force on 19th November 1999. Definitions 2. - (1) In these Regulations unless the context otherwise requires -
(b) the local highway authority; (c) any principal council for the area in which the site where the project is to be carried out, if not the local planning authority; and such of the following bodies as are applicable having regard to the place where a project is to be carried out -
(e) in England, the Countryside Commission and the Nature Conservancy Council for England; (f) in Wales, the Countryside Council for Wales; (g) in Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency;
(b) soil, water, air, climate and the landscape; (c) material assets and the cultural heritage; (d) the interaction between the factors referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) above;
(b) the removal of waste from, or decontamination work on, a power station or reactor when such an activity is carried out as part of routine operations not intended to be part of final dismantling or decontamination of that station or reactor; and for the purposes of this definition dismantling or decommissioning of a nuclear power station or nuclear reactor shall not be treated as having commenced unless plant or equipment is disabled or removed for the purpose of permanently preventing the continued operation of that station or reactor.
(b) a numbered paragraph is a reference to the paragraph so numbered in the regulation or Schedule in which the reference appears. Application
(b) a consent to carry out the project has been granted for the purposes of this paragraph by the Executive in accordance with regulation 8(3). Provision of an environmental statement
(b) includes at least the information specified in Part II of Schedule 1. (2) The information referred to in paragraph (1) shall be provided to the extent that the information is relevant to -
(b) the specific characteristics of a particular project or type of project and of the environmental features likely to be affected. Pre-application opinion as to the content of the environmental statement
(b) inform the licensee of the names and addresses of the bodies notified under sub-paragraph (a) above. (2) Where the Executive is provided with an environmental statement pursuant to regulation 5 it shall -
(b) require any body consulted under paragraph (1) to respond to the Executive within such reasonable time as the Executive may specify; and (c) send a copy of the environmental statement to the Secretary of State stating whether or not in the opinion of the Executive the project to which the environmental statement relates is likely to have significant effects on the environment in another EEA State. (3) The Executive shall not grant a consent (whether for the purposes of these Regulations or otherwise) in relation to an application to carry out a proposed project unless -
(b) the Executive has taken into account -
(ii) the responses of those consulted pursuant to paragraph (2); and (iii) any representations made to it pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) of regulation 9(1); and (c) where paragraph (3) of regulation 12 applies -
(ii) the Executive has taken into account any responses received by another EEA State pursuant to the provisions of regulation 12. (4) The Executive may, on granting a consent to carry out a project, attach to that consent such conditions as may appear to it to be necessary or desirable in the interests of limiting the impact of that project on the environment.
(b) the date on which the application was made; (c) the address or location of the site at which the proposed project is to be carried out; (d) that a copy of the application together with a copy of the environmental statement may be inspected by members of the public at all reasonable hours; (e) an address (or addresses) in the locality of the power station or reactor at which those documents may be inspected and the latest date on which they will be available for inspection (being a date not less than 30 days later than the date on which the notice is published); (f) an address (or addresses) (whether or not the same as that given under sub-paragraph (e) above) in the locality of the power station or reactor at which copies of the environmental statement may be obtained; (g) that copies may be obtained there so long as stocks last; (h) if a charge is to be made for a copy, the amount of the charge; and (i) that any person wishing to make representations about the application should make them in writing, before the date named in accordance with sub-paragraph (e), to the Executive at a specified address. (2) A copy of the notice required by paragraph (1) shall be provided to the Executive by the licensee within 14 days of the notice being published.
(b) copies of the environmental statement are available at the address specified in the notice referred to in paragraph (1) pursuant to sub-paragraph (f) of that paragraph on payment of a reasonable charge reflecting printing and distribution costs. Further information and evidence respecting environmental statements
(b) the date on which the application for consent to carry out the project was made; (c) the address or location of the site at which the proposed project is to be carried out; (d) that further information is available in relation to an environmental statement which has already been provided; (e) that a copy of the further information may be inspected by members of the public at all reasonable hours; (f) an address (or addresses) in the locality of the power station or nuclear reactor at which the further information may be inspected and the latest date on which it will be available for inspection (being a date not less than 30 days later than the date on which the notice is published); (g) an address (or addresses) (whether or not the same as that given under sub-paragraph (f) above) in the locality of the nuclear reactor or power station at which copies of the further information may be obtained; (h) that copies may be obtained there as long as stocks last; (i) if a charge is to be made for a copy, the amount of the charge; (j) that any person wishing to make representations about the further information should make them in writing, before the date specified in accordance with sub-paragraph (f), to the Executive at a specified address. (4) A copy of the notice required by paragraph (3) shall be provided to the Executive by the licensee within 14 days of the notice being published.
(b) copies of the information are available at the address (or addresses) named in the notice published pursuant to sub-paragraph (g) of paragraph (3) on payment of a reasonable charge reflecting printing and distribution costs. (9) The Executive may in writing require a licensee to produce such evidence as it may reasonably call for to verify any information in his environmental statement.
(b) inform the public of the decision by publishing a notice in a newspaper circulating in the locality of the site concerned, or by such other means as are reasonable in the circumstances; and (c) make available for public inspection at all reasonable hours at an office of the Executive nearest to the place where the power station or reactor is situated, and free of charge, a statement containing -
(ii) the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based; and (iii) a description, where necessary, of the main measures to avoid, reduce and, if possible, offset the major adverse effects of the project. Projects likely to have significant effects on the environment in another EEA State
(b) another EEA State likely to be significantly affected by such project so requests, the Secretary of State shall -
(ii) publish the particulars in sub-paragraph (i) above in a notice placed in the London Gazette or, where the project is in Scotland, the Edinburgh Gazette, with an indication of where further information is available; and (iii) give the EEA State a reasonable time in which to indicate whether it wishes to be further consulted in accordance with the provisions of this regulation. (2) The particulars referred to in paragraph (1)(i) are -
(b) information on the nature of the decision which may be taken. (3) Where an EEA State indicates, in accordance with paragraph (1)(iii), that it wishes to participate in the procedure for which these Regulations provide, the Secretary of State shall as soon as possible send to that EEA State the following information -
(b) a copy of the environmental statement in respect of the project to which that application relates including any further information relating to the project provided pursuant to regulation 10(1); and (c) relevant information regarding the procedure under these Regulations, but only to the extent that such information has not been provided to the EEA State earlier in accordance with paragraph (1)(i).
(b) ensure that those authorities and the public concerned are given an opportunity, before consent to the application is granted, to forward to the Secretary of State, within a reasonable time, their opinion on the information supplied. (5) The Secretary of State shall, in accordance with Article 7.4 of the Directive -
(b) determine in agreement with the other EEA State a reasonable period of time for the duration of the consultation period. (6) Where an EEA State has been consulted in accordance with paragraph (3), on the determination of the application concerned the Secretary of State shall -
(b) inform the EEA State of the decision; and (c) forward to it a statement of -
(ii) the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based; and (iii) a description, where necessary, of the main measures to avoid, reduce and, if possible, offset the major adverse effects of the project. Change or extension of project
(b) any project which commenced prior to the coming into force of these Regulations, which change or extension may have significant adverse effects on the environment, the licensee shall apply to the Executive for a determination as to whether the project shall be made subject to an environmental impact assessment and shall not commence or continue with the project until such determination has been made.
(b) inform the public of the decision by publishing a notice in a newspaper circulating in the locality of the site concerned, or by such other means as are reasonable in the cirumstances, stating the main reasons on which the decision is based. Limitation on disclosure
(b) may require the licensee to make to it a payment or payments on account of such liability. (3) A licensee shall comply with any requirement made of him under this regulation. 1.Description of project, including in particular:
2.An outline of the main alternatives studied by the licensee and an indication of the main reasons for his choice, taking into account the environmental effects.
(b) the use of natural resources; (c) the emission of pollutants, the creation of nuisances and the elimination of waste, and the description by the licensee of the forecasting methods used to assess the effects on the environment. 8.A description of the project comprising information on the site, design and size of the project. 9.A description of the measures envisaged in order to avoid, reduce and, if possible, remedy significant adverse effects. 10.The data required to identify and assess the main effects which the project is likely to have on the environment. 11.An outline of the main alternatives studied by the licensee and an indication of the main reasons for his choice, taking into account the environmental effects. 12.A non-technical summary of the information mentioned in paragraphs 8 to 11 of this Part. (which reproduces the provisions of Annex III of the Directive) 1.Characteristics of projects The Characteristics of projects must be considered having regard, in particular, to -
(b) the cumulation with other projects; (c) the use of natural resources; (d) the production of waste; (e) pollution and nuisances; (f) the risk of accidents, having regard in particular to substances or technologies used. 2.Location of projects
(b) the relative abundance, quality and regenerative capacity of natural resources in the area; (c) the absorption capacity of the natural environment, paying particular attention to the following areas -
(ii) coastal zones; (iii) mountain and forest areas; (iv) nature reserves and parks; (v) areas classified or protected under Member States' legislation; special protection areas designated by Member States pursuant to Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds[13] and Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora[14]; (vi) areas in which the environmental quality standards laid down in Community legislation have already been exceeded; (vii) densely populated areas; (viii) landscapes of historical, cultural or archaeological significance. 3.Characteristics of the potential impact
(b) the transfrontier nature of the impact; (c) the magnitude and complexity of the impact; (d) the probability of the impact; (e) the duration, frequency and reversibility of the impact. (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations implement as respects Great Britain Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (O.J. No. L175, 5.7.1985, p.40), as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC (O.J. No. L73, 14.3.1997, p.5), to the extent that the Directive relates to the dismantling or decommissioning of nuclear power stations and other nuclear reactors. The Regulations make the dismantling or decommissioning of specified nuclear power stations and nuclear reactors ("a project" as defined by regulation 2(1)) subject to environmental impact assessment and impose procedural requirements in relation to the consideration of applications for consent to carry out a project. The Regulations -
(b) require a licensee to provide to the Executive an environmental statement (regulation 5); (c) enable a licensee to seek an opinion from the Executive on the information to be included in an environmental statement and specify the types of information which are required (regulation 6 and Schedule 1); (d) require the Executive and other consultation bodies (as defined in regulation 2(1)), if requested, to assist the preparation of an environmental statement by making information available to the licensee (regulation 7); (e) provide for the procedure to be followed by the Executive upon receipt of an application for a consent to carry out a project (regulation 8); (f) provide for publicity of applications for consent and for the provision of copies of the environmental statement (regulation 9); (g) contain procedures for the provision by a licensee of information additional to that contained in the environmental statement (regulation 10); (h) require the Executive to provide information about decisions taken following the consideration of environmental information in accordance with these Regulations (regulation 11); (i) provide for consultation with other EEA States where a project is likely to have significant effects on the environment of another EEA State (regulation 12); (j) where there is a change or extension to a project, prohibit a licensee from commencing or continuing with that project until a determination has been sought from the Executive (which shall have regard to the matters set out in Schedule 2) as to whether the project as changed or extended should be made subject to an environmental impact assessment (regulation 13); (k) restrict the application of the Regulations in respect of certain information (regulation 14); (l) provide for the recovery of expenses incurred by the Executive in respect of the enforcement of the Regulation (regulation 15); (m) provide for the enforcement of these Regulations by the Executive (regulation 16). A copy of the summary cost benefit prepared in respect of these Regulations can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive, Economic Adviser's Unit, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS. A copy has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament. Notes: [1] S.I. 1988/785. See also the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions Order 1997 (S.I. 1997/2971).back [2] 1972 c. 68.back [3] O.J. No. L 175, 5.7.1985, p.40.back [4] O.J. No. L 73, 14.3.1997, p.5.back [5] Cm. 2073. The Agreement was adjusted by a protocol signed at Brussels on 17th March 1993.back [6] The Health and Safety Executive was established by section 10 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), as amended by the Employment Protection Act 1975 (c. 71), section 116 and Schedule 15, paragraph 3.back [7] 1965 c. 57; as amended by S.I. 1974/2056 and S.I. 1990/1918.back [8] 1990 c. 8.back [9] 1997 c. 8.back [10] S.I. 1992/3240; as amended by S.I. 1998/1447.back [11] 1974 c. 37; section 15(1) was amended by Schedule 15 to the Employment Protection Act 1975 (c. 71), paragraph 6.back [12] S.I. 1998/494.back [13] O.J. No L 103, 25.4.1979, p.1. Directive as last amended by the 1994 Act of Accession.back [14] O.J. No L 206, 22.7.1992, p.7.back ISBN 0 11 085395 4 -- Back --
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