Proposing the Prime Minister to decide on the investment policy of nuclear power plants

Continuing the 9th Session, on the afternoon of May 5, under the direction of Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan, the National Assembly listened to the Presentation and Verification Report on the draft Law on Atomic Energy (amended).

Supplementing regulations on the responsibilities of heads of nuclear facilities

Authorized by the Prime Minister to present the Proposal, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long said that the draft Law consists of 12 chapters and 73 articles (a reduction of 20 articles, equivalent to more than 20% of the number of articles compared to the 2008 Law), closely following the 4 policies agreed upon by the Government.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long presents the draft Law on Atomic Energy (amended). (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)

Specifically, policies on promoting the development and socialization of atomic energy applications; ensuring radiation safety, nuclear safety and security, decentralization in state management; facilitating nuclear inspection activities; managing radioactive waste, spent radioactive sources and spent nuclear fuel; responding to radiation incidents and nuclear incidents; civil liability for nuclear damage.

The revised and completed contents this time include additional regulations on digital transformation in radiation and nuclear safety activities, atomic energy applications; state management tasks on radiation and nuclear safety; inspection, examination and handling of administrative violations.

The draft also amends and supplements regulations on the security of radioactive sources and nuclear materials. Accordingly, it provides regulations on building, maintaining and enhancing security culture at facilities with radioactive sources and nuclear materials; establishing and maintaining radioactive source security measures corresponding to the level of danger caused by radioactive sources; and regulations on the responsibilities of relevant organizations and individuals in handling situations where radioactive sources and nuclear materials are discovered to be out of control.

The draft also adds provisions on: responsibilities of heads of nuclear facilities; requirements for design; investment in construction of nuclear power plants; appraisal of technology, radiation safety, safety and security of nuclear power plants; responsibilities for safety supervision and security assurance to comply with the Construction Law, the Ordinance on Protection of Important Works Related to National Security, the model law of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and specific mechanisms for the development of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project.

View of the meeting in the hall on the afternoon of May 5. (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)

Compared to the 2008 Law on Atomic Energy, the Government plans to abolish 25 administrative procedures, corresponding to a reduction of 32.9%. The draft Law on Atomic Energy (amended) does not specify administrative procedures in detail but leaves them to the Government to stipulate.

In addition, the draft Law omits provisions on the National Council for Development and Application of Atomic Energy; the National Nuclear Safety Council; and the Fund for Scientific Research and Technology Development in the field of atomic energy.

Notably, in this amendment, the Government proposes to decentralize the decision on investment policies for nuclear power plants (under the authority of the National Assembly according to the Investment Law and the Public Investment Law) to the Prime Minister. Regulations stipulate that the Prime Minister decides on investment policies for nuclear power plant projects.

Need to study and supplement policies related to radioactive waste control

Presenting the review report, Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy said that the Committee agreed with the necessity of promulgating the Law on Atomic Energy (amended) as proposed by the Government.

Regarding some specific contents, many opinions believe that the socialization of activities in the field of atomic energy stipulated in Article 13 of the draft Law is necessary, however, it is necessary to reconsider the suitability of this provision for allowing individuals and organizations to invest in establishing radiation facilities and facilities conducting radiation work due to concerns about the ability of individuals and organizations to ensure safety for these facilities (including facilities producing and processing radioactive substances). At the same time, it is necessary to clarify which areas are socialized instead of all areas.

Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy presents the review report. (Photo: THUY NGUYEN)

Regarding safety and security of nuclear facilities, the review agency found that it is necessary to supplement regulations on design approval for nuclear power plants and research nuclear reactors in Article 30 of the draft Law.

Specifically, the design of nuclear power plants and research nuclear reactors must be reviewed and approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the partner country, taking into account the specific requirements of Vietnam; the Government shall prescribe the competent authority to conduct this review.

In the case of nuclear power plants and research nuclear reactors designed by Vietnamese specialized agencies, it is necessary to supplement regulations on compliance with IAEA nuclear safety and security requirements.

In addition, it is recommended that the drafting agency continue to conduct research to specify the appraisal agency, procedures for design appraisal from the preliminary design stage, basic design, detailed construction engineering design, etc. and there should be specific regulations on nuclear power plant construction licenses corresponding to each construction stage to facilitate the implementation of legal procedures as well as supervision by relevant agencies.

Regarding the authority to decide and approve investment policies for nuclear power projects, the majority of opinions of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment agree with the plan as submitted by the Government, stipulating that the Prime Minister decides on investment policies for nuclear power plant construction projects according to the provisions of the law on public investment; approves investment policies for nuclear power plant construction projects according to the provisions of the law on investment and other relevant legal provisions to create a flexible, proactive mechanism and speed up the progress in implementing nuclear power plant projects; at the same time, it is also consistent with the policy of promoting decentralization and delegation of authority in the current context. However, it is necessary to carefully review the legal system to ensure consistency, feasibility as well as meet the requirements of ensuring security and safety of radiation and nuclear power.

The inspection agency also proposed to study and supplement policies related to the control of radioactive waste, radioactive sources in scrap and other sources imported, temporarily imported and re-exported to ensure completeness, feasibility and suitability.

Topic: 9th Session, 15th National Assembly

Proposing the Prime Minister to decide on the investment policy of nuclear power plants

Proposing the National Assembly to consider and decide on amending and supplementing a number of articles of the 2013 Constitution

[Video] Opening of the 9th session of the 15th National Assembly

Source: https://nhandan.vn/de-xuat-thu-tuong-quyet-dinh-chu-truong-dau-tu-nha-may-dien-hat-nhan-post877336.html