Analysis of the Draft Law:
Essence of the Draft Law
The draft law provides for the approval of a new National Target Environmental Program for Radioactive Waste Management, which will replace the previous program approved in 2009. The document is aimed at improving radioactive waste management in Ukraine.
Structure of the Draft Law
The draft law consists of three main parts:
- Main part: approval of a new environmental program for radioactive waste.
- Final Provisions: determining the date of entry into force of the law, cancellation of the previous version of the law from 2009, and instructing the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to ensure the implementation of the new program.
Main Provisions of the Draft Law
- Approval of a new environmental program at the state level is aimed at optimizing radioactive waste management processes, which is important for reducing environmental risks.
- Defining a new budget period for the implementation of this program, which emphasizes the importance of planning and financing in the context of the state budget.
- Cancellation of the previous version of the law from 2009 indicates the need to update and modernize approaches to radioactive waste management.
- The responsibility of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for program implementation emphasizes the importance of coordination between various state bodies to achieve effective results.
Explanatory Note Analysis:
Analysis of the Draft Law of Ukraine “On the National Target Environmental Program for Radioactive Waste Management”
Essence of the Draft Law:
The draft law provides for the adoption of a new National Target Environmental Program for Radioactive Waste Management for the period 2025-2032. Its purpose is to ensure the implementation of strategic directions in this area and create a comprehensive system for radioactive waste management.
Reasons and Necessity for Adoption:
The need for a new program arose due to insufficient funding of the previous program (2008-2017), which covered only 10% of the planned measures. This did not allow for the creation of the necessary infrastructure for radioactive waste management, which contradicts the principle of not transferring the financial burden to future generations. Considering legislative requirements and previous state decisions, the development of a new program is critically necessary.
Main Consequences of the Draft Law:
For the population of Ukraine, this means improving life safety by reducing the impact of radiation factors. For nuclear power plants, such as NNEGC Energoatom, this will ensure the creation of storage facilities for safe radioactive waste storage, which in turn will contribute to the safe operation of nuclear power plants. The Ministry of Defense and scientific institutions will also receive positive changes, particularly in resolving issues remaining from Soviet activities and involving scientists in the safe implementation of the program.
Analysis of Other Documents:
Analysis of Documents Regarding the Draft Law “On the National Target Environmental Program for Radioactive Waste Management”
1. Position of the Document Author:
The document authors, including the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, support the draft law. This is evident from the conclusions, which state that the draft law is aimed at implementing state policy in the field of radioactive waste management, and the relevant ministries and agencies support the project without comments.
2. Main Provisions of the Documents:
- The project provides for the approval of a new National Target Environmental Program for Radioactive Waste Management for the period 2025-2032.
- Program funding will amount to 20,043.6 million hryvnias, with a significant portion to be covered from the State Radioactive Waste Management Fund.
- The program specifies that the state customer is the State Agency of Ukraine for Exclusion Zone Management, and among those responsible for implementation are also the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and NNEGC Energoatom.
- The draft law provides for the implementation of strategic directions, such as minimizing the impact of radiation factors on population safety and creating a comprehensive radioactive waste management system.
- The documents contain financial and economic calculations showing how funds will be used for various program measures, including the construction and operation of waste storage facilities.
- The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy recommends adopting the project in the first reading, taking into account amendments and proposals.
These provisions are important for legislators as they define specific financial and organizational frameworks for radioactive waste management, which is critically important for environmental safety and population health protection. They also ensure the fulfillment of Ukraine’s international obligations in this area.
