Nuclear reactor safe - DG
2003-06-26 18:00
Cape Town - The director general of environmental affairs, Crispian Oliver, says his department has decided that the environmental impact of the proposed pebble bed modular nuclear reactor at Koeberg is acceptable from an environmental impact point of view, subject to specific conditions.
The manufacturing and transportation of nuclear fuel to and from Pelindaba has also been given the green light.
Olver confirmed that the applications had been processed in
accordance with the legal mandate of the department, and an elaborate process of investigation had been followed over a three-year period.
"Thorough environmental impact assessments were undertaken, and the outcome of these studies indicated that the environmental impact of the developments were acceptable" he said.
He was also satisfied about public participation in the process.
"As part of this process, adequate provision has been made for the public to participate and to raise issues of concern. These have been thoroughly documented and addressed."
He warned that the department was not responsible for nuclear safety and that there was a competent authority in that respect...the National Nuclear Regulator...where a separate licensing process was required in terms of a
different Act that dealt with nuclear safety matters.