site.btaParliament Amends Safe Use of Nuclear Energy Act

February 13 (BTA) - Parliament on Thursday passed on
second reading amendments to the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy Act.

Under the changes the technical supervision of high-risk
facilities on the premises of a nuclear plant which are
specifically designed to be used in nuclear technology and are
central to nuclear safety will be implemented by a specialized
unit subordinate to the head of the licensee which operates the
nuclear facility and under the methodological guidance of the
chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency.

The government may designate special status areas above specific
 nuclear facilities where airspace ban and restrictions are
introduced.

In the plenary hall National Front for Salvation of Bulgaria
leader Valeri Simeonov withdrew a proposal for hydropower plants
 in protected territories to renew their right to abstract
water.

The amendment was put to the vote between the first and second
reading of amendments to the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy Act and
concerned the enactment of provisions of the Water Act.

The Water Act bans the abstraction of surface waters for
electricity generation in protected territories. Valeri Simeonov
 proposed an exemption for water abstraction permits issued
until August 9 2010.

His proposal was seen by environmental groups as a way to allow
industrial activities in protected territories.

During the meeting environmentalists protested outside
Parliament. RY/PP

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