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of its observations in a letter dated 9th October 2015,
so that they could be taken into account in the safety
options file Andra has said it will submit in 2016, and
in the future creation authorisation application file.
The authorisation process
The process for examining a creation authorisation
application for a deep geological repository has not
started and will not start until Andra submits an
authorisation application. According to the schedule
provided for in theWaste Act, this file was to be submitted
in 2015. Following submission of the conclusions of
the public debate, Andra proposed a change to this
schedule through a deliberation of its board of directors
on 5th May 2014.
On the basis of this new schedule, Andra would submit
a proposed master plan for the operation of Cigéo along
with a safety options file and a retrievability technical
options file, before submitting the creation authorisation
application for this facility, now announced for 2018.
ASN approves of Andra’s decision to submit a safety
options file to it. ASN considers that this type of file
contributes to the continuation of a development process
through organised and controlled steps. In December
2014, ASN informed Andra of its expectations regarding
the content of this file and the elements it must contain
for its examination to take place. ASNmore specifically
asked Andra to ensure the completeness of the file with
regard to the notion of disposal system
4
defined in the
abovementioned ASN Safety guide.
In July 2014, ASN asked the IAEA to organise an
international peer review of this safety options file.
This review should take place at the end of 2016.
Project cost evaluation
On 10th February 2015, ASN issued its opinion on a
costing file drawn up by Andra in October 2014 which
was referred to ASN by the Minister responsible for
Energy at the end of 2014.
The previous evaluation of between 13.5 and 16.5 billion
euros (€Bn), dated from 2005; ASN estimated in its
opinion that an update of the reference cost was necessary.
This update could be carried out on the basis of the
Andra file, which is documented and substantiated
and represents significant progress, more specifically
through greater focus on safety.
4. The system of disposal in deep geological formation comprises
the waste packages, the disposal facility and the geological
environment. The disposal facility comprises the waste package
disposal structures and the access structure.
SCHEMATIC
of the Cigéo facilities
491
CHAPTER 16:
RADIOACTIVE WASTE AND CONTAMINATED SITES AND SOILS
ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2015