National Radioactive Waste Management Agency Bill 25 June 2008 Presented by:

Outline Background International Practice National Radioactive Waste Management Agency Bill

Activities generating Radwaste Background Activities generating Radwaste Electricity production Radiopharmaceuticals production Radioisotope Production Decontamination and decommissioning waste Research and development

Status of Radioactive waste in RSA Background… Status of Radioactive waste in RSA Spent Fuel (HLW) – Generated At Koeberg and at SAFARI-1 at NECSA Koeberg Spent fuel - about 95% of total spent fuel inventory Low and Intermediate Level Waste (LILW) from Koeberg disposed at Vaalputs LILW from NECSA still on the Pelindaba site

White Paper on Energy Policy 1998 Background… White Paper on Energy Policy 1998 Develop a radioactive waste management policy Current governance and management framework Nuclear Energy Act: Authority over Management of Radioactive Waste and Storage of irradiated fuel vests in the Minister Regulations made in consultation with Ministers – Environmental Affairs & Tourism and Water Affairs & Forestry

Current governance and management framework Background… Current governance and management framework RSA acceded to the IAEA Joint Convention in 2006 Eskom manages own waste, LILW to Vaalputs Necsa manages own & waste from small operators as well, all currently on-site National Nuclear Regulator issue nuclear authorisations and implements compliance programmes

Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy, 2005 Background… Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy, 2005 Lasting Long-Term solution to radioactive waste Safe Management Adequate Provision for radioactive waste management Institutional Framework

Background… Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy National Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (NCRWM) members: DEAT, DWAF, Health & NNR. National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (NRWMA) Radioactive Waste Management Fund (RWMF)

International Best Practice International Best Practice in the nuclear sector to have an independent Agency managing the disposal of Radioactive Waste Generators of Radioactive Waste Should not be entrusted the duty of also managing waste disposal An independent Agency frees the generators of waste to concentrate on their core mandate. Countries that have independent agencies include France, Spain, Hungary, Canada, Japan, Belgium etc.

National Radioactive Waste Management Agency Bill: Purpose Establish the National Radioactive Waste Management Agency. Agency will be responsible for Management of Radioactive Waste Disposal on a national basis, on behalf of the Minister. The Agency will be wholly owned by the State.

Control and Management Controlled by a Board of Directors On the Board: DME, DEAT, DWAF, Health (+ no more than 5 other directors) Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer

Functions of the Agency Meet institutional Obligations of the Minister related to management of Radioactive Waste as provided for by the Nuclear Energy Act Design and implement Disposal Solutions Develop Radioactive Waste Acceptance and Disposal criteria Assess and inspect the acceptability of waste for disposal and to issue disposal certificate Manage, Operate and Monitor operational disposal Facilities Manage and Monitor Closed disposal facilities

Functions of the Agency… Investigate the need for any new disposal facilities Site, design and construct new facilities as required Define and conduct research and development aimed at long term radioactive waste management Maintain a national radioactive waste database Manage any Ownerless radioactive waste on behalf of the State

Functions of the Agency… Assist generators of small quantities radioactive waste in the management of their waste Provide information on radioactive waste management to the public living around disposal facilities and the public in general

Licensing of Agency Financial Management The Agency’s facilities will be licensed by the National Nuclear Regulator Financial Management Agency will be a Schedule 3 public entity in terms of the PFMA Agency will be allowed to accumulate surplus funds

Funds Money appropriated by Parliament Money transferred from the Radioactive Waste Management Fund (once established) Money received for services rendered to waste generators (cost recovery) Income or interest earned on cash balances Loans raised in terms of the PFMA Donations or contributions with the approval of the Minister

Disposal Certificate Generators shall apply to the CEO for a waste disposal certificate CEO may determine conditions necessary to ensure compliance with the radioactive waste acceptance criteria

Responsibilities of Generators of radwaste Technical, Financial and Administrative management of wastes at their premises and during transportation Develop and implement site specific waste management plans based on National Policy Provide all relevant information on radwaste destined for disposal Demonstrate compliance with conditions of disposal certificate

Assets and Liabilities All assets, liabilities, licences, obligations and authorisations of the Vaalputs National Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility operated by NECSA will vest in the Agency All employees of Necsa at the Vaalputs Disposal Facility will become staff members of the Agency

Regulations Bill provides for the Minister to make regulations

Bill development Process According to Nuclear Energy Act, 46 of 1999, Minister is responsible for Management of Radioactive Waste and Storage of irradiated fuel. Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy of 2005, requires the Agency to be established by an Act of Parliament within 5 years from 2005 Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism consulted on the draft Bill

Thank you