NEWS RELEASE
NIA/ONR 20119/02/11
THE UK NUCLEAR INDUSTRY has warmly welcomed the Government’s announcement of the creation of an independent Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
Keith Parker, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association said the news was very welcome within the industry.
NIA/ONR 20119/02/11
THE UK NUCLEAR INDUSTRY has warmly welcomed the Government’s announcement of the creation of an independent Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
Keith Parker, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association said the news was very welcome within the industry.
“We believe it is vital if the UK is to deal effectively with the new challenges resulting from the new build programme and our growing decommissioning and nuclear legacy activities.”
The Association represents some 250 nuclear companies and 53,000 nuclear workers in the UK - and has backed reform of the regulator and the creation of a Statutory Corporation.
“We would urge the government to bring forward the necessary legislation in a timely manner to ensure creation of the Office for Nuclear Regulation in its final format as quickly as possible.”
“The industry supports this move on the grounds that it would deliver a forward-looking organisation with clear lines of accountability and independence required for world-class regulation at such a critical time for the UK’s nuclear industry,” added Mr. Parker.
The NIA’s views were backed by Alan Brandwood, Chair of the Safety Directors Forum, a forum for senior executives from the UK’s operational nuclear companies.
Mr Brandwood said: “Whilst we look forward to seeing the detail, the Government is to be congratulated on taking this important step towards creating a modern, effective, sustainable and efficient regulator for the nuclear industry. A consolidation of responsibility for much of the safety and security regulation in one independent, statutory body will provide clarity and certainty for the industry while at the same time giving the general public confidence that the sector is being properly scrutinised.”
He added: “The industry has shown its support for the new proposals by agreeing to take on the extra costs associated with them and we look forward to working with Government to see them fully implemented in the very near future.”
Ends
Contact:
NIA - John McNamara
Tel: 07774 747 713 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Safety Directors Forum – Ben Russell
Tel : 07989305339 email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Note to Editors
The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) is the trade association and representative voice of Britain’s civil nuclear industry. It represents 250 companies including the operators and vendors of nuclear power stations, those engaged in decommissioning, waste management, nuclear liabilities management and all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear equipment suppliers, engineering and construction firms, nuclear research organisations, and legal, financial and consultancy companies. The Nuclear Industry Association supports a balanced low-carbon energy future for the UK including renewables, clean coal and gas – with nuclear at its low-carbon centre.
The Safety Directors Forum has a membership of some 25 nuclear organisations who operate in the UK. Both civil and defence nuclear sites are represented, covering all aspects of the nuclear industry including fuel manufacture, electricity generation, reprocessing, waste management, decommissioning, new build, medical and the stewardship of the UK's nuclear deterrent. Members are all senior executives and/or board members of their respective organisations who have responsibilities for policy, strategy, improvement plans, or regulatory matters in areas such as nuclear safety, the environment, radiological safety, conventional safety, occupational health, quality, and security. The Forum meets four times a year and on two occasions a year it meets with the industry's regulators, including the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Department for Transport, and the Office for Civil Nuclear Security.
The Association represents some 250 nuclear companies and 53,000 nuclear workers in the UK - and has backed reform of the regulator and the creation of a Statutory Corporation.
“We would urge the government to bring forward the necessary legislation in a timely manner to ensure creation of the Office for Nuclear Regulation in its final format as quickly as possible.”
“The industry supports this move on the grounds that it would deliver a forward-looking organisation with clear lines of accountability and independence required for world-class regulation at such a critical time for the UK’s nuclear industry,” added Mr. Parker.
The NIA’s views were backed by Alan Brandwood, Chair of the Safety Directors Forum, a forum for senior executives from the UK’s operational nuclear companies.
Mr Brandwood said: “Whilst we look forward to seeing the detail, the Government is to be congratulated on taking this important step towards creating a modern, effective, sustainable and efficient regulator for the nuclear industry. A consolidation of responsibility for much of the safety and security regulation in one independent, statutory body will provide clarity and certainty for the industry while at the same time giving the general public confidence that the sector is being properly scrutinised.”
He added: “The industry has shown its support for the new proposals by agreeing to take on the extra costs associated with them and we look forward to working with Government to see them fully implemented in the very near future.”
Ends
Contact:
NIA - John McNamara
Tel: 07774 747 713 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Safety Directors Forum – Ben Russell
Tel : 07989305339 email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Note to Editors
The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) is the trade association and representative voice of Britain’s civil nuclear industry. It represents 250 companies including the operators and vendors of nuclear power stations, those engaged in decommissioning, waste management, nuclear liabilities management and all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear equipment suppliers, engineering and construction firms, nuclear research organisations, and legal, financial and consultancy companies. The Nuclear Industry Association supports a balanced low-carbon energy future for the UK including renewables, clean coal and gas – with nuclear at its low-carbon centre.
The Safety Directors Forum has a membership of some 25 nuclear organisations who operate in the UK. Both civil and defence nuclear sites are represented, covering all aspects of the nuclear industry including fuel manufacture, electricity generation, reprocessing, waste management, decommissioning, new build, medical and the stewardship of the UK's nuclear deterrent. Members are all senior executives and/or board members of their respective organisations who have responsibilities for policy, strategy, improvement plans, or regulatory matters in areas such as nuclear safety, the environment, radiological safety, conventional safety, occupational health, quality, and security. The Forum meets four times a year and on two occasions a year it meets with the industry's regulators, including the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Department for Transport, and the Office for Civil Nuclear Security.
