Climate Action 2009-2010

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Siting:
AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF
ANY NUCLEAR PROGRAMME
THAT WARRANTS EARLY
CONSIDERATION
SPECIAL FEATURE 144
There is a clear scientific consensus that nuclear
power is a proven, available technology that could be
expanded substantially to reduce future greenhouse gas
emissions. At the same time, any country considering
development of a nuclear power programme should not
do so lightly, and must recognise the significant time
commitment and complexities involved.
A NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAMME
In its publication titled Milestones in the Development
of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power (the IAEA
Milestone Guide), the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) estimates that the introduction of a new nuclear
power programme involves a 100-year commitment to
create and maintain a national infrastructure, and that it
will take 10 to 15 years from the decision to launch such
a programme to the operation of the first nuclear plant.
Over this period, those developing nuclear programmes
will be confronted by numerous complex and interrelated
challenges. The IAEA Milestone Guide outlines 19 essential
programme elements and, with respect to each element,
highlights issues to consider at three distinct stages –
at the time of making a knowledgeable commitment to
nuclear; at the point of inviting bids for services; and upon
commissioning operations.
Addressing each programme element in a logical and
cost-efficient manner, and in the right sequence, may be
the difference between 19 insurmountable obstacles and
19 pillars of a successful programme. For example, certain
elements will become the foundation from which other
elements will be developed, and they are also relatively
inexpensive. Developing a national position statement, the
necessary legislative framework, and the implementing
regulations would appear to fall into this category. Other
programme elements by definition will be slow to develop
and involve considerable cost, such as the development of
nuclear capability and experience among the indigenous
population, an electric grid sufficient to support eventual
nuclear operation, and a security and physical protection
regime necessary to receive and possess nuclear material.
PRELIMINARY SITE SURVEYS
One element that should be explored early, and can be
done on a relatively cost-effective and graded basis, is a
preliminary site survey. Site surveys involve applying an
increasing number of technical and socioeconomic criteria
to an ever decreasing number of potential sites or geographic
areas. Initially, the survey would employ relatively objective
technical exclusionary criteria to eliminate sites or regions.
As the name suggests, exclusionary criteria are those
that, if not met, exclude that site or region from further
consideration. Exclusionary criteria involve such subjects
as geology and tectonics, seismology, population profiles,
the availability of an adequate water supply for plant
cooling, and other selected infrastructure considerations.
Once certain areas have been eliminated from further
consideration, refined and more exacting criteria are applied
relative to these same technical areas, and socioeconomic
considerations are weighed. Such considerations include
environmental protection, risks from other manmade
facilities, ease of access, public interaction and interest, and
vulnerability to malicious acts.
Through early conduct of a site survey applying
exclusionary criteria at relatively minor expense, a country
can eliminate certain potential sites and regions, and have
a scientific basis to consider a limited number of sites in
more detail.
Narrowing the number of potential sites early, based
upon sound science, also has an added benefit when
testing stakeholder and public support, investor interest,
and the willingness of continued industry involvement.
Experience also shows that programme development is
accelerated when conducted along with an actual project,
as opposed to a theoretical concept. Site selection can test
project feasibility without the significantly greater expense
involved in choice of technology and reactor design, and
the purchase of long-lead components.
Author
Jay M Gutierrez is a partner at Morgan,
Lewis & Bockius LLP. He is the leader of
the Energy Practice.
Enquiries
Email: jgutierrez@morganlewis.com
VISIT: WWW.CLIMATEACTIONPROGRAMME.ORG