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Justifying the unjustifiable

Under European Union regulations, companies hoping to build a nuclear facility must show the benefits outweigh the potential health risks - this is known as the Justification Process. In March 2008 the Government issued Guidance and invited nuclear companies to put forward new reactor designs by June for a justification decision. The process was expected to take about 18 months to complete, up to mid-2009.

An application was made by NIA in June 2008 on behalf of those energy utilities interested in developing new reactors. At the end of October 2008 the new Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) wrote to NIA seeking further information within 28 days. Then DECC then published a package of information, including the application, for consultation on 17th December 2008. The consultation closed on 25th March 2009.

On 9th November 2009 the Government launched a consultation on the Secretary of State’s proposed decisions that two new nuclear power station designs, Westinghouse’s AP1000 and AREVA’s EPR, are Justified under the Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004, with the aim of testing the proposed decisions, and the evidence on which they are based, and giving people the opportunity to raise any other matters which they think are relevant. The consultation will run until 22nd February 2010.

Nuclear Consultation Group

The Nuclear Consultation Group, a group of academics and experts with specialist knowledge on nuclear power and energy have called for the Government to hold an inquiry into the ‘Justification’ of new reactors. The group has written to the Department of Energy and Climate Change explaining that:

Given that Justification, once finalised, may foreclose on any future discussion on issues crucial to nuclear power, it is vital that this process is opened up in order to allow for meaningful and realistic examination of evidence a public forum.

The Government proposes to hold public events with Government officials on the draft decision statement. These events are not the right way forward - there should be an inquiry into Justification where the evidence can be publicly tested.

The group is seeking support for this call from others making submissions on the Justification Consultation. See the group’s briefing.  Indeed the Welsh Environment Minister, Jane Davidson, has done just that by supporting calls for a public inquiry.

First Consultation Responses

The Nuclear Free Local Authorities published a briefing to assist its members in their response to the first consultation.

Nuclear Free Local Authorities response to the Justification Consultation

NFLA Press Release 24th March 2009

Bradwell for Renewable Energy

Nuclear Waste Advisory Associates

Stop Hinkley Expansion

Greenpeace main submission

Greenpeace Security of Supply Appendix

Nuclear Consultation Group

Last Updated 10th November 2009

This section of the website has been developed thanks to funding from Polden-Puckham Charitable Foundation, and the Andrew Wainwright Reform Trust.