New Issues in Radioactive Waste Management Legal Frame and Challenges for CNE-PROD Cernavoda NPP

Abstract

This paper presents national legal frame governing radioactive waste management activities (including spent fuel), legislative newness, introduced during last two years, current status of radioactive waste management at CNE-PROD Cernavoda, as radioactive waste main producer and associated responsibilities and derived actions for CNE-PROD radioactive waste program. Romania has only one nuclear power plant, Cernavoda NPP, equipped with five PHWR - CANDU-6 Canadian type reactors - with a 700 MW(e) gross capacity each, in different implementation stages. Unit 1 is in commercial operation since December 2, 1996, Unit 2 is under construction and Units 3, 4, 5 are under preservation. Spent fuel management facilities at CNE-PROD consist of Spent Fuel Bays and The Intermediate Dry Spent Fuel Storage facility. Radioactive waste management facilities at CNE - PROD consist of Solid Radioactive Waste Interim Storage Facility. Objective of Romanian radioactive waste management policy is to assure safe management of radioactive waste, according to the principles stated in IAEA SS No. 111-F. The Romanian radioactive waste management policy and strategy are fully taking into account the general and radioactive waste management specific IAEA requirements. New legislative issues from last two years establish clear responsibilities for the different institutions involved in the different steps of spent fuel and of radioactive waste management.