The National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) decided to hold a public debate from 17 April to 25 September 2019, prior to the drafting of the 5th edition of the PNGMDR. ASN and the General Directorate for Energy and the Climate (DGEC) produced a project manager’s report to present the main issues relating to the drafting of the next Plan, notably the volumes of VLL waste expected from decommissioning and the creation of a deep geological repository. Ahead of the debate, the Special Commission for Public Debate (CPDP) produced a “controversy clarification” file, aiming to explain the arguments put forward by experts or institutional organisations regarding questions relating to the Plan, in a manner accessible to a non-specialist public. ASN and the DGEC took part in the debate in order to present the issues and answer questions from the public. Although the institutional representatives (nuclear licensees, associations, CLIs, experts) were often present in large numbers, participation by the general public remained limited. The participative platform received 86 questions, 442 opinions, 62 individual stakeholder presentations and 22 contributions. The questions primarily concerned the Cigéo project, the management of VLL waste, the separation/transmutation* of radionuclides*, the environmental and health consequences of waste management. Other subjects were also raised during the public debate: the management of particular waste categories, such as those resulting from the conversion of uranium, legacy waste, mining waste, transportation and health. The debate was able to explain certain technical controversies, clarify the expectations of the public and nuclear stakeholders and inform the prime contractors with a view to the drafting of the next PNGMDR. n 6 general subjects meetings in large cities. n 14 thematic meetings in the regions concerned. n 2 discussion sessions debating an ethical approach to the management of radioactive materials and waste. n A round-table on the question of trust and mistrust felt by the public with respect to the decisions taken or envisaged. n Information and debate stands in several towns around France. n An on-line participative platform enabling people to express an opinion, submit comments on those already expressed, submit questions to the prime contractor and, for artificial persons, submit an individual stakeholder’s presentation and contributions document. In parallel with these participation methods open to all, the CPDP set up some innovative systems. n A “mirror group” comprising 14 randomly selected citizens, which produced a joint contribution on the topic “What did we inherit and what will we leave to our children?” n A “tomorrow’s specialists workshop” brought together students from different backgrounds to explore how radioactive waste management can be informed by different disciplines. The public debate on the 5th edition of the PNGMDR Radioactive waste • 29
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NjQ0NzU=