* See glossary page 34 The Environment Code defines a specific system for financing the management of radioactive waste, which aims to safeguard the financing of nuclear costs according to the “polluter-pays” principle. It is therefore up to the nuclear licensees to take charge of this financing by setting up dedicated assets capable of covering the expected costs. These costs must be prudently evaluated, taking account of various uncertainties (decommissioning, any research and development programmes to be implemented, deployment of new industrial tools, etc.). The licensees are thus obliged to submit three-yearly reports on these costs along with annual update notices to the Government. Provisioning is carried out under direct control of the State, which analyses the situation of each licensee and can prescribe the necessary measures should it be found to be insufficient or inadequate. The General Directorate of the Treasury and the General Directorate for Energy and the Climate (DGEC) constitute the administrative authority with competence for this control. The DGEC asks ASN to issue a technical opinion on the hypotheses adopted by the licensees. ASN also rules on the robustness of the technical scenarios proposed by the licensees and on the justification of the associated schedules. Whatever the case may be, the nuclear licensees remain responsible for the financing of their long‑term costs. Your questions, our answers How is radioactive waste management financed? The prospect of an energy policy comprising a long-term nuclear component must be accompanied by an exemplary waste management policy. ASN considers that the necessary decisions must be anticipated so that all types of waste generated by the new nuclear policy (EPR 2 and innovative reactors) have safe and operational management solutions* once they become necessary. The construction of new reactors would have an impact on the quantities of radioactive waste to be managed in the future, as would, for example, the decision to cease reprocessing spent fuels in the La Hague facilities, or extension of the service life of the reactors currently in operation. Concerning the handling of HLW and ILW-LL waste, see pages 22 and 23. Can renewed interest in nuclear power in France be reconciled with an increasing quantity of waste? Radioactive waste is a sensitive subject in public opinion, which raises both questions and concerns. We will attempt to provide clear answers. 30 • Les cahiers de l’ASN • May 2024 INFORMING THE PUBLIC
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