DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND TOURISM: NUCLEAR REGULATION

The role of DEA T Presentation to the Portfolio Committee: June 2007

The Intergovernmental Context

· DME main department responsible for nuclear issues - policy and legislation as well as National Nuclear Regulator. Includes policy on radioactive waste management

· DPE as custodian of state owned enterprises as role in relation to establishment of facilities

· DST role in relation to custodianship of R+D

· Deat has limited regulatory role - no policy role

DEA T's Role

· Establishment of nuclear facilities is a listed activity in terms of EIA Regulations

· DEAT responsible for authorising applications for nuclear related EIAs

· Also role in relation to nuclear waste to the extent that it is not dealt with by other legislation. (NNR Act, Nuclear Act, Health legislation)

Managing Nuclear EIAs

· Deat authorising body

· Currently two applications - PBMR and conventional nuclear

· MOU with the NNR. NNR responsible for licencing safety case and DEAT responsible for EIA authorisation. DEA T represented on NNR Board.

· Agreement that the two bodies will not duplicate or repeat each others' work environment & tourism

In assessing technical issues DEA T establishes panel of national and international nuclear experts

All existing government policies, legislation and prescripts taken into account in decision making

DEA T takes decisions on nuclear issues in relation to the facts of the given application and in the context of established policy and legislation.

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