Protection of the environment is one of the cornerstones of sustainable development, a key consideration for Member States embarking on new nuclear power programs. National requirements and international instruments increasingly reflect this concern and for the provision of opportunities for interested parties and stakeholders to be involved in decision-making processes. This new edition provides valuable guidance to Member States on issues related to environmental protection when considering a new nuclear power plant. It aligns more closely with the phased approach and takes into account Revision 1 of IAEA Nuclear Energy Series NG-G-3.1 and highlights the interface with other infrastructure issues. It also considers lessons learned from the 30 Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) missions conducted to date, and ensures consistency, and alignment of approaches and terminology with other relevant IAEA publications. This publication is primarily intended for Member States who are considering or embarking on new nuclear power programs, and specifically the decision makers and technical specialists who are involved in environmental protection.

• 1. INTRODUCTION
  • 1.1. Background
  • 1.2. Objective
  • 1.3. Scope
  • 1.4. Structure
  • 1.5. Users
• 2. THE MILESTONES APPROACH AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN NEW NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAMMES
  • 2.1. The Milestones approach
    • 2.1.1. Phases in the Milestones approach
    • 2.1.2. Key organizations
    • 2.1.3. Infrastructure issues
  • 2.2. Environmental protection within the Milestones approach
    • 2.2.1. Phase 1
    • 2.2.2. Phase 2
    • 2.2.3. Phase 3
    • 2.2.4. After Phase 3
  • 2.3. Interaction with other infrastructure issues
    • 2.3.1. National position
    • 2.3.2. Nuclear safety
    • 2.3.3. Management
    • 2.3.4. Funding and financing
    • 2.3.5. Legal and regulatory framework
    • 2.3.6. Radiation protection
    • 2.3.7. Electrical grid
    • 2.3.8. Human resource development
    • 2.3.9. Stakeholder engagement
    • 2.3.10. Site and supporting facilities
    • 2.3.11. Emergency planning
    • 2.3.12. Nuclear fuel cycle
    • 2.3.13. Radioactive waste management
    • 2.3.14. Industrial involvement
    • 2.3.15. Procurement
• 3. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS PARTICULAR TO NUCLEAR POWER
  • 3.1. Radiation and radioactivity released into the environment
    • 3.1.1. Direct exposure to sources of radiation during normal operation
    • 3.1.2. Exposure to radionuclides released to the environment during normal operation
    • 3.1.3. Radiological impacts of accidents
  • 3.2. Emergency planning
  • 3.3. Management of radioactive waste
  • 3.4. Decommissioning
• 4. LEGAL, REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAMMES
  • 4.1. International legal instruments
  • 4.2. Financial institution and lender requirements
  • 4.3. Legal and regulatory integration for a nuclear programme
    • 4.3.1. Application of environmental protection laws throughout the programme
    • 4.3.2. Licence, authorizations and permits
  • 4.4. Organizational aspects
• 5. NUCLEAR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION — PROCESS AND ACTIVITIES
  • 5.1. Environmental protection activities in Phase 1
    • 5.1.1. Initial environmental information
    • 5.1.2. Older environmental information or impact assessments
  • 5.2. Environmental protection activities in Phase 2
    • 5.2.1. Environmental scoping studies
    • 5.2.2. Environmental impact assessment
    • 5.2.3. Addressing uncertainties in the environmental impact assessment process
    • 5.2.4. Bid invitation specification
  • 5.3. Environmental protection activities in Phase 3 and beyond
    • 5.3.1. Environmental management plan
    • 5.3.2. Environmental monitoring programme
    • 5.3.3. Environmental management activities after operations cease
    • 5.3.4. Environmental performance review
• 6. CONCLUSION
• REFERENCES
• Annex I EXPERTISE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROCESSES FOR NUCLEAR POWER
• Annex II TYPES OF UNCERTAINTIES WHICH CAN INTRODUCE PROJECT RISK
• ABBREVIATIONS
• CONTRIBUTORS TO DRAFTING AND REVIEW
• STRUCTURE OF THE IAEA NUCLEAR ENERGY SERIES