92000E2359

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2359/00

by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 July 2000)

Subject: Temelin nuclear power station

Is the Commission aware:

- that in 13 procedures calling for structural changes to the Temelin nuclear power station project, the Czech Environment Ministry has drawn attention to the failure to carry out environmental impact assessments and characterised the existing situation as contrary to law;

- that execution of the environmental impact assessments still outstanding is being called for by the Czech Environment Minister, Dr Kuzvart;

- that the introduction of fuel and subsequent activation of Block 1 in the Temelin plant before environmental impact assessments are duly completed would inadmissibly compromise the outcome of the assessment procedure and call that important mechanism into question;

- that no detailed information on safety standards at the Temelin plant has to date been made available to Czech and international public opinion enabling them to assess the safety levels achieved;

- that precipitate activation of the plant before clarifying all outstanding questions would be associated with increased risk and possible economic damage?

Is the Commission prepared:

- to urge the government of the Czech Republic to ensure that neighbouring countries are guaranteed their full rights under the Espoo Convention in relation to environmental impact assessments at the Temelin plant;

- further to urge the government of the Czech Republic to ensure that Czech and international public opinion have detailed information made available to them by the Temelin operators and the Czech national nuclear supervisory authority (SUJB) on the basis of which an expert assessment can be made of the levels of security achieved in Temelin;

- to urge the Parliament of the Czech Republic to guarantee the rights to which citizens of neighbouring countries are entitled in relation to environmental impact assessments by promptly ratifying the Espoo Convention?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2000)

The Commission is following the Czech domestic political and legal debate on the issue of the Temelin nuclear power plant (NPP) and the application of current Czech legislation on environmental impact assessment.

The evaluation of the safety levels at the Temelin NPP falls exclusively within the responsibility of the Czech national nuclear safety regulatory authority. Public involvement in environmental impact assessment procedures is regulated by national legislation.

Whereas the responsibility for nuclear safety lies with the operator and the national regulator, the economic risk of operating a power plant has to be borne by the operator, alone.

The Commission has defined the transposition of the environmental impact assessment acquis as a short-term priority within the accession partnership with the Czech Republic. To date, the Czech Republic has not ratified the Espoo Convention on environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context. The Commission will report on further Czech progress in adopting the acquis in its forthcoming progress report.

The Commission will continue to urge the Czech Republic to undertake steps to adhere to the acquis in time for accession.