HINKLEY Point B nuclear power station's decommissioning project has now opened for public consultation.

Stakeholders, including residents of the Bridgwater area, are invited to share their thoughts with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) on EDF's environmental impact assessment for the proposed decommissioning project.

Construction started at Hinkley Point B in 1967, with the site beginning to generate energy in 1976. It was decommissioned in August 2022, after supplying 965 MW to the National Grid.

The ONR said: "EDF Energy has submitted a statement that includes an environmental impact assessment for the proposed decommissioning project.

"The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has received an application from EDF Energy to decommission the Hinkley Point B nuclear power station in Somerset.

"To support this application, EDF Energy has submitted a statement that includes an environmental impact assessment for the proposed decommissioning project.

"This outlines the measures intended to avoid, prevent, reduce, and, if possible, offset any significant adverse environmental effects.

"ONR is inviting comments and feedback from all stakeholders on the environmental statement to help inform our decision on the application. 

"Please note that all comments received will be anonymised (individual names removed) and shared with EDF Energy.

"Unless specifically requested, the names of organisations will not be removed.

"Additionally, anonymised comments will be included in our decision record.

"This application for consent has been submitted under the Nuclear Reactors (Environmental Impact Assessment for Decommissioning) Regulations 1999."

Comments should be sent by email to eiadr@onr.gov.uk, or by post to: SDFW Division, Nuclear Liabilities Team, Office for Nuclear Regulation, Building 4, Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, L20 7HS - with the email or subject letter stating: ‘consultation for Hinkley Point B EIADR application for consent’. Responses should be provided by December 9 2024.

ONR’s response to the consultation exercise, and the final decision, will be published on the regulator's website following that.