Yuri Senturin, State Duma deputy

— Russian security technologies guarantee the protection of the environment from the negative impacts of nuclear facilities

The Russian security technologies guarantee that the environment will be protected from the negative effects of nuclear facilities, says Vice Chairman of State Duma Committee on Energy, Transport and Communication Yuri Senturin. Speaking of the safety of the International Uranium Enrichment Center to be build in Angarsk, Irkutsk region, Senturin says that his committee has held a special analysis of the problem of radioactive waste treatment.

“We are not just deliberating, we have been in Ural at the local nuclear facilities and have inspected their security systems.

All we have seen there, including the initial documents, was in line with the highest international standards. Of course, we have much to do yet. For example, in France the information about the nuclear power sector is more open: they hold public briefings, organize visits to nuclear sites and even allow the public to see their documents.

In Russia the nuclear power sector is not so open. The veil of secrecy has transformed into a veil of obscurity. However, our experience tells us that there is no risk in opening the Center, especially as this project will be based on the Russian and international nuclear security experience. In fact, the radiation background at the enterprise is even lower than the natural background in the area. Today, we have strong technical prerequisites for non-risky enlargement of the uranium enrichment unit in Angarsk. I don’t think that the Center will have any negative effect on the special economic zone being formed in the region.

One more important point is that the formation of the Center proves the reality of the new international strategy that was proclaimed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, was presented to IAEA by the head of Rosatom Sergey Kiriyenko and already has many supporters worldwide. Besides, I am sure that the opening of such a center in Irkutsk region will be a strong stimulus for the development of Siberia and Far East, regions that are faced with big social and economic problems.

To remind, in late 2006 the Russian Government decided to remove Angarsk Electrolytic Chemical Combine from the list of closed enterprises for using it as a basis for an international uranium enrichment center.