[en] In the framework of a sustainable development and of the nuclear energy development, the France decided by the law of the 30 December 1991, to study three axis or researches: the radioactive wastes transmutation, their deep underground disposal and their storage during ten years. Today, after evaluation of the researches results a law project on the sustainable management of the radioactive materials and wastes, has been prepared. This document is the approval of the law project and presents some amendments. (A.L.B.)

[en] The scars left by a badly balanced and paralyzing policy of technology development got wider under the effect of the political and economical disruptions that have affected the Central and Eastern Europe countries during the 1990's. The Western World and in particular the European Union publicly announced their will to contribute to the success of the transition process in progress in these countries. But what about the real facts? What are the obstacles that contradict the indispensable technological modernization of Eastern countries? What would be consequences if the European Union may not succeed in implementing solutions allowing to reach this goal? The object of this report is to precise these stakes and to present them with some sectoral illustrations taken in the public health domain, in the energy sector, and in the nuclear and aerospace industries. It proposes a reorganization of the policies of these countries and presents a status of the cooperations in progress with the difficulties encountered. Concerning the nuclear aspect, the report takes stock of the situation of the civil nuclear industry: reactors situation, conditions of exploitation, back-end of the fuel cycle, future of the research domain, impact of the disarmament treaties. The status of the cooperations stresses on the richness of the traditional scientific and technical cooperations, on the prevention of nuclear proliferation and on the nuclear safety question. (J.S.)

[en] In November 1997, the French senate decided the creation of an inquiry commission in order to start up a study about the future of the French energy policy. The commission has interviewed the overall actors of the energy policy: ministers, heads of energy companies, higher officials, syndicates, consumer and environment protection associations, scientists and economists. The inquiry has been extended to other countries of the European community, and also to China, Japan, the USA and Canada. Despite various economical contexts and resources, all these countries have developed energy policies which aim at ensuring an energy independence and at supplying energy at the best price for a better economic competitiveness. This report presents first the French experience and the evolution of the French energy policy during the last 50 years with respect to the economical and political constraints encountered. The second part is a reflection about the principles that will guide the French energy policy in the context of deregulation of the European energy market and of the environmental constraints imposed by the Kyoto summit. Detailed proposals for the increase of the French energy independence are presented in conclusion of the report. (J.S.)

[en] This report makes a comprehensive presentation of the French atmospheric and underground nuclear tests performed in Sahara and Polynesia between 1960 and 1996 with their possible impact on the health of populations and personnel and on the environment. A comparison is made with similar tests performed by other nuclear Powers: US (Marshall islands, Nevada), former Soviet union (Semipalatinsk, Novaya Zemlya), UK (several atmospheric test-sites), China, India, Pakistan. (J.S.)

[en] If no change occurs, the European Union will cover in 2020, 70% of its energy need by importation, for 50% today. This situation leads to a discussion on the energy dependence. In this context the European Commission provoked a discussion by publishing a ''green book'' on the european strategy concerning the energy supply. This document presents the point of view of the Senate Energy Study Group. (A.L.B.)

[en] This eighth report of the Parliamentary Office concerns a particularly period, beginning of 2005, which marks the end of the 15 years devoted to the research on radioactive wastes storage (law of 30 december 1991). The authors present a synthesis of the researches progress and a political analysis of the following actions to the 30 december 1991 law, in two main chapters: separation and transmutation of radioactive wastes for 2040, feasibility in France of a deep geological storage between 2020 and 2025, feasibility of a long time disposal, researches options after 2020, the policy conclusions, the financing and the ANDRA position. (A.L.B.)

[en] First, I would like to inform you about the progress France has made over the past two years in the field of nuclear energy. In France, 2005 and 2006 were major years for the nuclear industry. A number of basic laws concerning the future of the nuclear sector and its organization were passed in 2005 and 2006. Second, based both on my experience as a nuclear engineer, the profession that I have followed at the Commissariat a l'energie atomique (CEA) for almost 25 years, and on the work of the OPECST, I would like to underscore the following issues, which, from my point of view, will be the main technical expertise issues for the safety authorities in the coming years: radioactive waste management, the ageing of operating reactors; the replacement of existing reactors and the development of new reactors, and the construction and operation of reactors in new nuclear countries

[en] Created by law in June 2006, the High Committee for Transparency and Information about Nuclear Security (HCTISN) is a pluralist instance dedicated to information, consultation and debates on issues related to nuclear activities and their impacts on environment and health. Currently chaired by a honorary senator, the High committee is composed of about forty persons who meet at least every three months. The subject of sustainable management of radioactive materials and waste is one of the main topical issues examined by the High committee. Since 2009, a dedicated think-tank has been set up to deal with questions of information, consultation and transparency all along the decision making process for the creation of a new storage installation for radioactive waste. In 2010, the High committee has been mandated by the Ministry in charge of nuclear safety to draw up a report on the transparency in the field of management of waste and materials produced at each stage of fuel cycle. Management of radioactive waste continues to raise discussion and rich debates within the High committee. In 2011, the High committee's intentions are to organize public information, consultations and debates about sustainable management of radioactive materials and waste. (author)

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No abstract available