through the nuclear power process, from technology introduction to independent operation.
First, a strong organisation and huge investment by government strengthen the independence of national nuclear power technologies.
Proven nuclear technologies were researched
under the auspices of the government, or jointly
with businesses funded by the government, until
they reached the pilot stage or commercialisation. To develop a nuclear power capability
independently, Japan and South Korea invested
in R&D and developed new technologies. The
ratio of investment to independent R&D and
technology development is 1:4 in South Korea
and 1:8 in Japan.
Second, human and material resources are
allocated in a centralised manner by government to
achieve nuclear power independence. This process
of resource allocation includes adapting the country’s industrial system; creating a network of main
suppliers; developing a professional advanced
engineering capability; and establishing an entire
integrated supply chain, from design to equipment
supply, construction and operation.
(5) The public has the right to know and
participate in decision-making on major
issues of nuclear power
Nuclear power developers in the West regard the
public’s right to know and participate in
decision-making as crucial to the smooth development of nuclear energy. Nuclear power countries have established a public intervention
mechanism for nuclear power development and
safety management.
Two rounds of public consultations are carried
out before a nuclear power plant is approved in
the USA. The Atomic Energy Act stipulates that
a public hearing must be held, which covers a
range of issues, including licence approval, suspension and abolition; construction permits; and
licence-related regulations.
In France, nuclear power plants have to go
through a national debate procedure that is open
to the public at various levels, from special
community sessions to local government.
France’s nuclear power safety authorities
emphasise that nuclear power decisions must be
public and transparent. Government authorities
allow residents living near nuclear power plants
to track the status of the plants and provide
information and even risk evaluation.
Japan adopted the right to public veto in 1996.
Construction of a nuclear power plant must be
approved by the public first. In Japan, nuclear
power safety authorities disclose nuclear facility
accidents and radioactivity control data to the
public on dedicated websites.
(6) Laws and regulations ensure the safe and
orderly development of nuclear energy
The legal system is the basis for policymaking.
Major nuclear power countries passed their version of an atomic energy act early. These acts
typically included regulations for each subsector
of nuclear power development. This resulted in a
sophisticated legal system that ensures the
peaceful use of nuclear power and a strong
foundation for policymaking.
The USA passed the Atomic Energy Act in
1946 and amended it in 1954. The act covers
civil and military nuclear activity, the use and
management of nuclear materials, the research
and development of nuclear facilities, the
organisational and management system, international activities, and the rights and responsibilities of stakeholders.
Japan developed the Atomic Energy Basic
Law in 1955, which regulates management
organisations and R&D institutions, the development and procurement of nuclear materials,
nuclear fuel and reactor management, patents,
radiation prevention, compensation, and so on.
India’s Atomic Energy Act was passed in
1948 and amended in 1962. The act stipulates
that all nuclear power and nuclear fuel recycling
activities are controlled by the central
government.
South Korea, France and other nuclear power
countries have also established comprehensive
legal systems to govern their atomic energy
industry.
Special Report 3: A Study of China’s Technology Revolution
371
First, a strong organisation and huge investment by government strengthen the independence of national nuclear power technologies.
Proven nuclear technologies were researched
under the auspices of the government, or jointly
with businesses funded by the government, until
they reached the pilot stage or commercialisation. To develop a nuclear power capability
independently, Japan and South Korea invested
in R&D and developed new technologies. The
ratio of investment to independent R&D and
technology development is 1:4 in South Korea
and 1:8 in Japan.
Second, human and material resources are
allocated in a centralised manner by government to
achieve nuclear power independence. This process
of resource allocation includes adapting the country’s industrial system; creating a network of main
suppliers; developing a professional advanced
engineering capability; and establishing an entire
integrated supply chain, from design to equipment
supply, construction and operation.
(5) The public has the right to know and
participate in decision-making on major
issues of nuclear power
Nuclear power developers in the West regard the
public’s right to know and participate in
decision-making as crucial to the smooth development of nuclear energy. Nuclear power countries have established a public intervention
mechanism for nuclear power development and
safety management.
Two rounds of public consultations are carried
out before a nuclear power plant is approved in
the USA. The Atomic Energy Act stipulates that
a public hearing must be held, which covers a
range of issues, including licence approval, suspension and abolition; construction permits; and
licence-related regulations.
In France, nuclear power plants have to go
through a national debate procedure that is open
to the public at various levels, from special
community sessions to local government.
France’s nuclear power safety authorities
emphasise that nuclear power decisions must be
public and transparent. Government authorities
allow residents living near nuclear power plants
to track the status of the plants and provide
information and even risk evaluation.
Japan adopted the right to public veto in 1996.
Construction of a nuclear power plant must be
approved by the public first. In Japan, nuclear
power safety authorities disclose nuclear facility
accidents and radioactivity control data to the
public on dedicated websites.
(6) Laws and regulations ensure the safe and
orderly development of nuclear energy
The legal system is the basis for policymaking.
Major nuclear power countries passed their version of an atomic energy act early. These acts
typically included regulations for each subsector
of nuclear power development. This resulted in a
sophisticated legal system that ensures the
peaceful use of nuclear power and a strong
foundation for policymaking.
The USA passed the Atomic Energy Act in
1946 and amended it in 1954. The act covers
civil and military nuclear activity, the use and
management of nuclear materials, the research
and development of nuclear facilities, the
organisational and management system, international activities, and the rights and responsibilities of stakeholders.
Japan developed the Atomic Energy Basic
Law in 1955, which regulates management
organisations and R&D institutions, the development and procurement of nuclear materials,
nuclear fuel and reactor management, patents,
radiation prevention, compensation, and so on.
India’s Atomic Energy Act was passed in
1948 and amended in 1962. The act stipulates
that all nuclear power and nuclear fuel recycling
activities are controlled by the central
government.
South Korea, France and other nuclear power
countries have also established comprehensive
legal systems to govern their atomic energy
industry.
Special Report 3: A Study of China’s Technology Revolution
371