Transparency and Nuclear Safety: The HCTISN calls for expert assessments to be made public before any decision is taken

The French High Committee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Safety (HCTISN) insists on the publication of risk assessments for nuclear power plants before any decisions are taken, as part of the reform of nuclear safety governance.

Share:

Subscribe for unlimited access to all the latest energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

For less than €3/week*

*For an annual commitment

*Engagement annuel à seulement 99 € (au lieu de 149 €), offre valable jusqu'au 30/07/2025 minuit.

The HCTISN, a diversified advisory body, calls for technical and scientific expertise on nuclear power plant safety to be made public upstream of decision-making. The aim of this request is to maintain and even improve the quality of risk assessments in the nuclear sector.

The need to inform civil society

The HCTISN stresses the importance of informing civil society about the scientific and technical basis for decisions on nuclear safety and radiation protection. This is particularly crucial for the most important decisions.

The Nuclear Safety Governance Bill

The current bill aims to merge the Institut de Radioprotection et Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) and the Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (ASN) into a single entity, the ASNR. The HCTISN has reservations about this project, fearing a step backwards from current law and a loss of transparency.

Concerns of Employees and Experts

ASN and IRSN employees, as well as various experts and elected representatives, are expressing their concerns about the reduced independence of expertise and a potential loss of transparency in the proposed new system.

The Government Response

Faced with concerns, Energy Transition Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher defended the bill, saying that exchanges with employees had been frank and respectful. The bill is due to be presented to the Council of Ministers on December 20, and is due to reach Parliament early next year.

The reform of nuclear safety governance in France is at a crucial turning point, with strong calls for greater transparency and independence in risk assessments. The final decision will have a significant impact on the country’s nuclear safety.

NANO Nuclear Energy has been selected to compete in the final round of xTechSearch 9, a US Army initiative aimed at identifying high-potential dual-use technology solutions.
Aalo Atomics completes Series B funding, bringing its total to USD 136 million, to build its first modular nuclear power plant dedicated to data centers.
The Malaysian government initiates a national assessment on nuclear energy feasibility, targeting regions facing energy supply constraints and integrating international regulatory requirements.
The merger between Premier American Uranium and Nuclear Fuels reaches a key milestone following final approval of the arrangement plan by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
TVA, Google, and Kairos Power formalize an agreement to connect an advanced reactor to the grid, supporting data center energy growth and reinforcing the U.S. nuclear industry.
The U.S. Department of Defense has signed an agreement with X-energy to develop a commercial nuclear microreactor intended to power sensitive military infrastructure.
With cash reserves multiplied sevenfold in nine months, NANO Nuclear intensifies development of its KRONOS MMR and positions itself in the Canadian and U.S. modular nuclear markets.
Equinix signed a preorder for 20 Kaleidos nuclear microreactors and a letter of intent for a power purchase agreement with ULC-Energy, reinforcing its energy supply strategy for its data centers.
The U.S. Department of Energy selects Oklo and its subsidiary Atomic Alchemy for three pilot reactor projects aiming for criticality before July 2026.
The United States Department of Energy has selected eleven companies to build experimental nuclear reactors by July 2026, under a programme aimed at meeting rising electricity demand.
The South African Minister of the Environment has approved Eskom’s authorisation to build a nuclear power plant in Duynefontein, ending appeals lodged by several environmental organisations.
An independent group calls for deep changes to speed up the approval of UK nuclear projects and cut costs linked to a system seen as too slow and complex.
Radiant has signed an agreement with the Department of the Air Force and the Defense Innovation Unit to supply a portable nuclear microreactor, marking a first in mass production for military use.
The Gravelines nuclear power plant, the largest in Western Europe, halted all production after its cooling systems were obstructed by an unexpected influx of jellyfish. EDF plans a gradual restart in the coming days.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that the tritium concentration in the 14th batch of ALPS-treated water discharged by TEPCO remains well below Japan’s operational limit.
Field studies to determine the location of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant have begun near the village of Ulken, marking a key stage in a project led by Rosatom.
China’s nuclear safety authority has approved the construction of units 1 and 2 at the Jinqimen plant, authorising the start of foundation work for the first reactor.
India unveils a national plan to boost nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047, combining large reactors and small modules, with a strengthened regulatory framework and new public-private partnerships.
Belarus offers its expertise to support the construction of Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant, as Tashkent accelerates its civil energy projects with new international partnerships.
Start-up HYLENR finalises a strategic $3 mn fundraising to move from pilot phase to industrialisation of its low-energy nuclear reaction systems for industrial heat production.
Consent Preferences