This resolution also requires the transmission in 2025 of a management plan with time frames for remediating the soils of a field named “La Grande Bastide”, containing radiologically contaminated land, and eliminating any source of contamination of the neighbouring stormwater network as quickly as possible. The facility has effectively suffered several stormwater contaminations since 2013, resulting in the presence of artificial radionuclides outside the identified contaminated zones. This has resulted in several significant event notifications to ASN. A stormwater management action plan was implemented to ensure containment of the materials. Nevertheless, in view of the conclusions of the assessment of the effectiveness of this stormwater management action plan, monitoring must be continued and additional measures will have to be taken in 2025, relating to the “Grande Bastide” field management plan. ASN considers that the level of nuclear safety and radiation protection of BNI 37-B on the inspected themes of ventilation, deviation management and fire protection in 2024 is broadly satisfactory. Plutonium Technology Facility and Chemical Purification Laboratory – CEA CENTRE The Plutonium Technology Facility (ATPu – BNI 32) produced plutonium-based fuel elements intended for fast neutron or experimental reactors as from 1967, then, from 1987 until 1997, for PWRs using MOX (Mixed OXides) fuel. The activities of the Chemical Purification Laboratory (LPC – BNI 54) were associated with those of the ATPu: physicalchemical verifications and metallurgical examinations, treatment of effluents and contaminated waste. The two facilities were shut down in 2003 and are currently undergoing decommissioning. ASN finalised its examination of the periodic safety review reports of the two facilities in 2024. It considers that the licensee’s analysis of conformity with the regulatory and technical requirements, and re-assessment of control of the risks and drawbacks are satisfactory. The additional information provided by CEA in 2024 concerning the modification of the decommissioning files of the two BNIs was also found to be satisfactory. ASN’s inspections during 2024 focused primarily on the management of the complex decommissioning operations, particularly in the former Waste Treatment Unit (ATD) of the LPC, and the management of the waste resulting from these operations. ASN considers that on these themes, the level of nuclear safety and radiation protection of the facility is broadly satisfactory. However, one significant event rated level 1 on the INES scale was notified by CEA in 2024 after a rod of non-inventoried fissile material was discovered in the ATPu facility. The presence of fissile material in this location constitutes a deviation from the General Operating Rules (RGEs). Additional information is to be provided concerning performance of the emptiness check in all the rooms of the facility. ASNR will also maintain its vigilance regarding the operations to remove the dispersible inventory remaining in the facility in 2025. Masurca research reactor – CEA CENTRE The Masurca reactor (BNI 39), whose construction was authorised by a Decree of 14 December 1966, was intended for neutron studies, chiefly on the cores of fast neutron reactors, and the development of neutron measurement techniques. The reactor has been shut down since 2007. Final shutdown of the facility was declared by the CEA on 31 December 2018. The licensee submitted the facility decommissioning file in December 2020 and in the interim has carried out decommissioning preparation work, such as removal of asbestos from the premises, rehabilitation of buildings, dismantling of nuclear buildings and removal of conventional equipment. The decommissioning file is currently being examined. The public inquiry was held in the first quarter 2024 and the file received a favourable opinion. Removal of the items containing sodium should begin in 2025. The periodic safety review concluding report for the facility is expected in 2025. ASN considers that the level of nuclear safety and radiation protection concerning waste management, the organisation and management of emergency resources, and the management of risks arising from hazardous substance risks, all of which were inspected in 2024, is broadly satisfactory. Éole and Minerve research reactors – CEA CENTRE The experimental reactors Éole and Minerve are verylow-power (less than one kilowatt) critical mock-ups that were used for neutron studies, in particular to evaluate the absorption of gamma rays or neutrons by materials. The Éole reactor (BNI 42), whose construction was authorised by a Decree of 23 June 1965, was intended primarily for neutron studies of moderated arrays, in particular those of PWRs and Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs). The Minerve reactor (BNI 95), whose transfer from the Fontenay‑aux‑Roses studies centre to the Cadarache studies centre was authorised by a Decree of 21 September 1977, is situated in the same hall as the Éole reactor. Teaching and research activities were carried out on these mockups until their final shutdown on 31 December 2017. Decree 2023-1176 of 12 December 2023 brought together the two BNIs 42 and 95 in a single BNI (BNI 42-U) called “Éole / Minerve”, and prescribed the decommissioning operations for this facility. Through resolution CODEP-DRC-2024-049444 of 24 September 2024, ASN approved the decommissioning RGEs transmitted by the licensee further to the issuing of the facilities’ Decommissioning Decree 2023-1176 of 12 December 2023. These operating rules integrate both the conclusions of the decommissioning file and the conclusions of the examination of the last periodic safety review. This resolution marks a milestone in the life cycle of these two reactors: pursuant to IV of Article R. 593-69 of the Environment Code, the Decree takes effect on the date ASN approved the RGEs update. It thus enables BNIs 42 and 95 to be brought together in a single BNI (BNI 42-U). 92 ABSTRACTS – ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2024 Regional overview of nuclear safety and radiation protection PROVENCE‑ALPES‑CÔTE D’AZUR
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