GOVERNANCE AN ENVIRONMENTAL RISK IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES OF AUTHORIZATION FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

This article deals with the Spanish legislation and the authorizations concerning nuclear power plants. The decision about nuclear power plants and its authorization is based on procedures which entails analysis of various factors of security and environmental risk. In this decision it's necessary to ensure the governance, information and participation to prevent the concerns of the citizens. The concept of transparency of information and stakeholder involvement came to the field of nuclear energy through environmental legislation that supported a general breakthrough in public information and participation rights in many others fields of law, including nuclear law. This study also examines the Spanish regulation of the spent nuclear fuel. At the moment, the Spanish Government has decided the construction of a central storage of spent fuel but the principal problem is the election of the location. The process of selecting an appropriated location is now under way. The information and the public participation are essential elements in both procedures of risk management to prevent social, environmental and legal conflicts.