Cross-Cutting Working Groups 

Radiological Protection

Chair: Marcel Lips (Kernkraftwerk Goesgen-Daeniken AG) 
Deputy Chair: Josip Zic (McMaster University)  
Staff Director: Sameh Melhem

The Group advocates scientifically-based policies and practices supported by industry experience to provide sufficient protection to the worker, public and the environment. It channels the global industry’s voice on radiological protection (RP) questions, as it interfaces with institutions, such as the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Radiation Safety Standards Committee (RASSC). 

The Group has developed an action plan for current and future activities throughout 2021 and beyond. These activities include involvement in IAEA RP-related committees and guidance document processes, ICRP report reviews, and participation in other conferences.

The Group will continue to engage with Radiation Protection professionals and international institutions in 2021 through the presentation of technical subjects at the 15th International Congress of the International Radiation Protection Association on the risks associated with low doses of ionising radiation and on the recent revisions of dose quantities. The RPWG will also continue to promote the position of the nuclear industry on some of the most discussed topics within the Radiation Protection community through the publication of position and technical papers.

Law

Chair: Chris White (Urenco)
Deputy Chair: Elina Teplinsky (Pillsbury)  
Staff Director: Philippe Costes 

This Group was established with a mandate to raise awareness of the legal issues and developments affecting the global nuclear industry amongst the membership of the Association, as well as to provide a forum to the members’ legal representatives to discuss issues and development. The Group also liaises with other Working Groups and assists when necessary on ways to respond to specific legal challenges. It has developed mutually beneficial relationships with the legal offices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) as well as with other relevant stakeholders.

The Group has focused in recent meetings on examining the consequences of ‘Brexit’ for the nuclear industry, developments in global nuclear liability and insurance, as well as issues in nuclear new build.
 
The Group will continue to be a forum for the exchange of information on contemporary legal topics, including the impact of nuclear cooperation agreements on the nuclear industry. It will forge greater connections with other Groups and cooperate on subjects of mutual interest such as multi-national repositories.
 

Economics

Chair: Milton Caplan (MZ Consulting)  
Deputy Chair: Irina Skvortsova (Rosatom)  
Staff Director: Philippe Costes
 

This Group’s focus is on developing a better understanding of the economics and the capital costs of nuclear plants, notably new plants in both developed or developing countries. It also examines the competitiveness of nuclear energy in the overall generating mix.
 
With the objective of providing key inputs to the Harmony programme the Group will examine:  

• Nuclear in an electric system – contribution and cost-effectiveness compared to  other low-carbon electricity generation; 
• Comparison of low-carbon electricity generation in terms of socio-economic benefits and life-cycle analyses;  
• Future changes that will have an impact on electricity systems and markets, such as costs of storage, load-following, demand-side management, clean gas and financing and structuring of NPP projects

Security 

Chair: Robert Rodger (UK National Nuclear Laboratory)
Deputy Chair: Sam Stephens (Jacobs) 
Staff Director: Nathan Paterson

The Group shares expertise and good practice in the field of nuclear security. It establishes the industry view on nuclear security matters with international stakeholders. It supports the Association’s efforts to foster public confidence in the nuclear industry in the areas of security and the securing of materials under industry control.
 
The Group supports the role of the IAEA in marshalling international cooperation in nuclear security and in publishing consensus recommendations which reflect current best practice. The Group is represented on the Nuclear Security Guidance Committee, which is responsible for developing IAEA recommendations on security.
 
The Group is developing positions and recommendations on number of topics including: mitigating insider threats; cybersecurity; the security of Small Modular Reactors; the safety-security interface and culture; security oversight as part of good corporate governance; and maintaining security within the supply chain.Other activities include: facilitating industry collaboration within international security related events and conferences; supporting development of professional development and capacity building in nuclear security; and collaborating with international stakeholders on common projects. Members can access the recently developed Security Briefs within the members site.