Lords investigate post-Brexit nuclear safeguards readiness
The House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee will ask the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) whether its Brexit preparations are on track on Wednesday 11th July.
An internal risk register leaked in May indicated that the ONR was falling behind in its efforts to prepare for Brexit, with a number of key issues being flagged as ‘red risks'. These include development of a new IT system for tracking nuclear material, recruitment and training of inspectors, securing funding, and obtaining access to the necessary equipment.
If the ONR fails to establish its own safeguarding regime before leaving Euratom, the UK may be unable to import nuclear material. This could have severe consequences for energy security given that 20% of the UK's electricity comes from nuclear generation. The purpose of this session is to explore what preparatory action the ONR has already taken, and what challenges remain.
The evidence session will begin at 10.30am in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords. The Committee will question:
- Mina Golshan, Deputy Chief Inspector and Divisional Director, Office for Nuclear Regulation
- Peter Dicks, Project Lead for the UK State System of Accounting for and Control of Nuclear Material Project, Office for Nuclear Regulation
Topics the Committee are likely to cover include:
- Developing a new IT system for tracking nuclear material
- Recruiting and training inspectors
- Securing funding for the ONR's expanded role
- Obtaining access to the necessary equipment.
