1. Sellafield Major Permit Review
OFFICIAL
Sellafield Major Permit Review
Tracey Griffiths
Environmental Compliance Manager
Sellafield Ltd

2. 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.”

3. 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.

4. 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

5. Radioactive substances aqueous discharges
OFFICIAL
Radioactive substances aqueous discharges

6. Radioactive substances aerial discharges
OFFICIAL
Radioactive substances aerial discharges

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Limit setting options being considered for the RSA Major Permit Review
OFFICIAL
Limit setting options being considered for the RSA Major Permit Review

10. 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.

11. 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