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Nuclear regulation groups

Read about our two nuclear regulation groups. They make sure people and the environment are protected from radioactive and other waste from nuclear sites

Where do they operate?

Our two nuclear regulation groups oversee environmental matters at nuclear sites in the North of England and North Wales (Northern-based group) and the South of England and South Wales (Southern-based group).

Each group has a manager and 11 staff who are all experienced in regulating the nuclear industry.  The groups also have up to three technical support officers.

Their main role is to inspect sites to ensure they are working within the law. They also aim to influence and educate site managers and staff to achieve the highest standards of environmental protection.

What do they do?

Some of their other duties include:

  • assessing applications for permits for nuclear sites
  • regularly reviewing nuclear site authorisations to make sure they're still appropriate
  • investigate incidents and take enforcement action if necessary
  • providing advice on long term plans for nuclear sites owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
  • working with operators and our own monitoring team to make sure the environment is properly monitored around nuclear sites
  • informing the public about the regulatory process and seeking views from people in the UK and overseas
  • working with our colleagues and other regulators to make sure that regulation is seamless and consistent between nuclear and similar industrial sites

Emergency response

We have a role to play if an incident at a nuclear site has an impact beyond the site or in the event of an overseas nuclear incident that may affect the UK.

We will advise about how the incident might affect the general environment or the water supply.  We also advise about decontamination, clean-up and waste disposal. The Nuclear Regulation Groups regularly take part in emergency exercises and response planning.

Contact our Nuclear Regulation Groups

NRG North
The Environment Agency
Ghyll Mount
Gillan Way
Penrith 40 Business Park
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 9BP

Tel: 01768 215722
Fax: 01768 892456

NRG South
The Environment Agency
Red Kite House
Howbery Park
Crowmarsh Gifford
Wallingford
Oxon
OX10 8BD

Tel: 01491 828629
Fax: 01491 828599