Nuclear Lawyer Warns UK New-Build Projects Will Be Put On Hold

27 Jan (NucNet): If the UK leaves Euratom before new standalone nuclear cooperation treaties are negotiated with France and the US, current new build projects such as Hinkley Point C will be put on hold while those treaties are negotiated, a London-based lawyer specialising in nuclear energy told NucNet. Vince Zabielski, a senior lawyer at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, said none of the current new-build projects in the UK are British designs and most are reliant on foreign technology that is accessible only via existing bilateral treaties through Euratom. “To avoid delays, the best path forward for the UK and its nuclear trading partners would be a controlled exit from the European Atomic Energy Community [Euratom] after Brexit. While the exit procedures under Article 106a of the Euratom Treaty parallel those in Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon, they are nonetheless independent.” Mr Zabielski said: “As part of the Brexit negotiations, the EU and the UK could agree that the notification procedures of the Euratom Treaty would be triggered, for example, three to five years after the notification under Article 50 is triggered. Such an approach would maintain trade, minimally impact new build, and ensure safety and security standards are continuously maintained, while – over a reasonable period of time – restoring the autonomy that the UK seeks.” Mr Zabielski said whether or not such an approach will be politically feasible “remains an open question.” In explanatory notes published on 26 January 2017 with the bill authorising it to trigger Article 50, the UK government said it will seek to leave Euratom.