National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute Bill Presentation to the NCOP Select Committee on Economic and Foreign Affairs October 2008

2 Background International Practice National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute Bill Outline

3 Activities Generating Radioactive waste –Electricity production –Radiopharmaceuticals production –Radioisotope Production –Decontamination and decommissioning waste –Research and development Background

4 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 Background…

5 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 Background…

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

7 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…

8 Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy mandated formation of: National Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (NCRWM) –members: DEAT, DWAF, Health & NNR. National Radioactive Waste Management Agency through statute (Now called Disposal Institute) Radioactive Waste Management Fund (RWMF) through statute Background…

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

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

11 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 Control and Management

12 Functions of the Institute 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

13 Functions of the Institute… 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

14 Functions of the Institute… 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

15 Licensing of Institute The Institute’s facilities will be licensed by the National Nuclear Regulator. The NNR does not dispose waste but regulate activities in the nuclear sector Financial Management Institute will be a Schedule 3 public entity in terms of the PFMA Institute will be allowed to accumulate surplus funds

16 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

17 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

18 Responsibilities of Generators of Radioactive waste 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 Radioactive waste destined for disposal Demonstrate compliance with conditions of disposal certificate

19 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 Institute All employees of Necsa at the Vaalputs Disposal Facility will become staff members of the Institute

20 Regulations Bill provides for the Minister to make regulations

21 Thank you