Nuclear sector improves its performance
The 2006 annual report on the environmental performance of the nuclear sector in England and Wales describes the environmental performance of the nuclear sector measured against the objectives and performance indicators set out in the Nuclear Sector Plan.
The Nuclear Sector Plan was developed by the Environment Agency following discussions with the nuclear industry. It sets out eight main environmental objectives and indicators of performance that we and the industry have agreed. These cover statutory responsibilities, but go further by including voluntary activities the industry has agreed to undertake. The plan also addresses areas where we have agreed to improve our work as an environmental regulator. We are pleased that the industry is supporting the sector plan and has agreed to use the plan to monitor and report on the impact of its activities.
The report shows that in the sector:
• Natural resource use reduced
• More waste produced but being managed
• Progress made towards meeting targets for discharges to air and water
• Contribution to reducing greenhouse gases
• Work taking place to restore sites and develop biodiversity action
• Links between the industry, regulators and stakeholders working well
• Increasing awareness of product
• Improvements in regulatory and environmental management systems.
Although overall performance against the eight environmental objectives was good in 2006, there are areas where work is needed to further improve performance. Areas for improvement include:
• Making better use of resources at some sites, particularly those sites that can update infrastructure and management systems.
• Packaging and conditioning intermediate level radioactive waste in a form suitable for disposal. • Sharing best practice on recycling conventional waste within the nuclear sector and learning from other sectors.
• Continuing to make good progress in reducing discharges by applying ‘best practicable means’, and making progress towards meeting all of the UK strategy targets for radioactive discharges.
• Making progress in delivering improvements in integrated waste management as set out in ‘integrated waste strategies’ drawn up for individual sites, and developing a national waste strategy that builds on this work.
• Operators and the Environment Agency to track and share numbers of lower categories of incidents and breaches to provide early warning of trends.
To read the full report on the environment performance of the nuclear sector in England and Wales please see:
