Sellafield Major Permit Review OFFICIAL Sellafield Major Permit Review Tracey Griffiths Environmental Compliance Manager Sellafield Ltd
The aim of the Major Permit Review OFFICIAL The aim of the Major Permit Review “Environmental permits which ensure ongoing protection of the environment, focus on the use of Best Available Techniques, provide a clear line of sight to permit compliance and facilitate timely Post Operational Clean Out (POCO) of reprocessing facilities and decommissioning of the wider site.”
OFFICIAL The permits involved Environmental permits allow SL to operate facilities which result in aqueous and gaseous discharges to the environment and disposals of solid waste. SL has several environmental permits including a Radioactive Substances Activity (RSA) permit and an Installation permit, which are being subject to the Major Permit Review. The agreed outcome of the review of the RSA permit is that SL will submit an application for a substantial variation. The review of the Installation permit is ongoing.
Provisional timescales OFFICIAL Provisional timescales Activity RSA permit Installation permit Proposed application submission date 2018 2019 Public consultation on application 2018/2019 Public consultation on decision Permit issued 2019 / 2020
Radioactive substances aqueous discharges OFFICIAL Radioactive substances aqueous discharges
Radioactive substances aerial discharges OFFICIAL Radioactive substances aerial discharges
OFFICIAL Radioactive substances limits will be set following a three step process: 1) SL assess discharges associated with future site activities supported by an assessment of BAT to control discharges; 2) SL propose limits, or revisions to existing limits, based on the discharges estimated in step (1); 3) EA will assess SL’s proposals and set limits and levels as appropriate.
Key changes discussed with the EA with regards radioactive substances OFFICIAL Key changes discussed with the EA with regards radioactive substances Removal of site limits where discharges have fallen below significant levels, in terms of quantity discharged and resulting impact. Limits set relating to BAT for future discharges, this will result in some significant reductions Removal of plant limits to enable SL to optimise discharge routing and the effective use of abatement plants. Changes to limits implemented in two phases (after the end of THORP shearing in 2018 and Magnox de-canning in 2020) via a single permit application and consultation process. Introduction of a 2 tier site limit structure. This would allow an increase above a lower tier (where necessary, providing an acceptable BAT justification is made.
Limit setting options being considered for the RSA Major Permit Review OFFICIAL Limit setting options being considered for the RSA Major Permit Review
Next steps for RSA Major Permit Review OFFICIAL Next steps for RSA Major Permit Review To enact any changes following the MPR, EA expects SL to submit an application to vary the permits. The public consultation, which will follow the application, will offer an opportunity for stakeholders to understand the impact of future discharges from the site.
Timescales Activity RSA permit Installation permit OFFICIAL Timescales Activity RSA permit Installation permit Proposed application submission date 2018 2019 Public consultation on application 2018/2019 Public consultation on decision