Legislation

Legislation of nuclear power industry Is very important point strongly related to its success. Undoubtedly the law is not main factor but without good legislative framework even the best technology is unable to get into commercial market. There are several reasons of such situation. First, the most important, because connected with the beginning of the facility, is investment process. It must be clearly described that investors will not be lost between paragraphs. They should feel familiar with law documents concerning their investment. When the law is good, the risk decrease and investors are more willingly to invest their money. Moreover, investment also need a credit leverages. Banks are cautious and they do not grant credits when the law is not uniform and transparent. Legislative framework also should be constant, without often changes. Legislation also influence the construction time of the facility. It can be said that all pre-stage work that has to be taken is somehow connected with legislation. However also operation-stage is strongly affected by law regulations. Especially in are of nuclear energy its influence is visible. Nuclear safety, waste management, decommissioning, radiological protection are issues that require regulation of state, Community or even international law.

The Chapter describes overall outline of European Union legislation in area of nuclear power industry, as a parent law of member states. The analysis is not complete because it would require the lawyer involvement, but it presents outline of legal solution of nuclear power industry. This part of law was introduced in the EU in years 60's.

The Chapter contains also short description of Polish nuclear power industry legislation as an example of a local backyard. In this case wide analysis is not necessary. The Nuclear Law is changing actually, because today law is proper only for research reactors. It does not solve the problems of whole industry in competitive market.

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