Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy (SHANTI) Act Draft Rules
The draft rules introduced by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) under the SHANTI Act are considered well-structured and progressive by experts. Key provisions and implications of the rules are discussed below.
Financial Security and Civil Liability
- Nuclear plant operators are required to maintain an insurance policy or financial security to cover civil liability for nuclear damage.
- This financial security must remain effective until all spent fuel is removed from storage.
Certification and Operational Requirements for Foreign Designs
- Foreign-designed nuclear plants or reactors must be certified by the regulatory body in their country of origin.
- The reactor must be operational in its country of origin or another foreign country.
Operator's Civil Liability and Review
- The Centre will establish a group of experts every five years to review the maximum limits of an operator's civil liability for nuclear damage.
Pre-Licensing and In-Principle Approval
- Provisions for pre-licensing consultations and in-principle approvals will streamline license applications for investors.
- This process provides clarity for investors before making significant financial commitments.
Licensing and Site Assessment
- The licensing authority will assess the applicant’s credentials, including corporate form, governance, and regulatory compliance obligations.
- Approval can be revoked for reasons of supervening public interest, national security concerns, or misrepresentation.
Single Composite Licence
- A single licence will authorize the building, owning, operating, and decommissioning of nuclear plants or reactors.
Fuel, Trade, and Lifecycle Costs
- Provisions are included for fuel fabrication facilities, uranium and thorium mining, nuclear fuel trade, and R&D.
- Spent fuel and decommissioning costs can be integrated into tariffs.
Operator Liability and Compensation
- Operators are liable on a "no-fault basis" for nuclear damage, including during material transport.
- If compensation exceeds liability limits, the Centre may engage with the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage for additional funds.
Prime Minister's Address
- Prime Minister highlighted the framework's role in achieving 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity and starting five new reactors this decade.
Summary of Key Rulebook Provisions
- Financial cover must continue until spent fuel is removed.
- Single licence for building, owning, operating, and decommissioning.
- Approval available before site or technology finalization.
- Foreign reactors require regulatory approval in origin country.
- Licensees must compensate for personal and property damage.
- Spent-fuel and decommissioning costs included in tariffs.
- Rules address uranium/thorium mining, nuclear trade, and R&D.
