The French government is relaunching an ambitious nuclear safety reform project. After an initial setback in May, when the project was rejected when introduced as a legislative amendment, it is back in a more robust form as a bill. This project, which will begin its parliamentary examination by the Senate on February 7, aims to merge IRSN, the nuclear “scientific police”, with ASN, the power plant regulator. This merger is envisaged as a means of optimizing decision-making and expertise processes, with the aim of strengthening nuclear safety in France, an issue that has become even more pressing in light of the country’s renewed nuclear ambitions.
IRSN-ASN merger and implications
The proposal to create an “Autorité de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection” (ASNR) by January 1, 2025 is part of a broader drive to revive nuclear energy in France. President Emmanuel Macron has announced the construction of six new EPR reactors, with plans for a further eight in the coming months. This merger is seen as an essential step in supporting this expansion, by ensuring that nuclear safety processes are both efficient and adapted to the challenges of a growing industry.
However, this reform has met with strong opposition. The IRSN inter-union, various environmental associations and industry experts are expressing serious concerns. Their main fear is that the merger could compromise the independence of expertise and reduce the transparency of decisions. These concerns are exacerbated by the fact that the project has received a cool reception from most advisory bodies, underlining a lack of consensus around the initiative.
Debates on Independence and Transparency
At the heart of the debate is the question of the publication of IRSN’s expert reports. The 2015 law requires these expert reports to be made public on a regular basis, a practice that could be threatened by the merger. The draft bill stipulates that the future authority will define publication procedures in its rules of procedure, but this vague wording leaves room for diverse interpretations and raises concerns about the possibility of reduced transparency.
Political context and reactions
The reform project emerged in a complex political context, notably during a nuclear policy council at the Elysée Palace, and was initially perceived as an attempt to dismantle IRSN. This perception was reinforced by the way in which Institute staff were informed of the decision, and by the public communication that followed. Although the current proposal focuses on the merger, it remains tainted by these first impressions and by the lack of clarity in the government’s communication.
This reform is crucial not only for nuclear safety in France, but also for the public’s perception of the nuclear industry. As France prepares to increase its nuclear capacity, the way in which this reform is managed and communicated could have significant implications for public confidence in nuclear safety and, by extension, in the acceptability of nuclear power as a pillar of the country’s energy strategy.
Nuclear safety reform in France is a complex issue, involving technical, political and social considerations. Today’s decisions will have a profound impact on the way France manages its nuclear future, at a time when safety and public confidence are more important than ever.
