240 



Other NEA functions concern the administrative and regulatory 

 aspects of nuclear energy and the development of a uniform legal 

 system in Europe governing such matters as compensation for damages 

 from a nuclear accident. 



Member states in the NEA include the European members of the 

 OEEC — which later became the OECD — plus Canada, Japan, and 

 the United States. Originally named the European Nuclear Energy 

 Agency (ENEA), the Agency was renamed the Nuclear Energy 

 Agency to reflect the participation of non-European members. 



Like its parent organization, the OECD, the NEA is a forum 

 rather than an operational agency. Within the functions outlined 

 above, its strong point has been coordination and program confronta- 

 tion rather than direct operation. The Agency has led its members into 

 agreements on radiation health and safety standards, and on nuclear 

 insurance. By contrast, Euratom is an operating organization as well 

 as an agency involved in establishing an industrial structure for 

 nuclear power in Europe. 



Some NEA Innovations in Organization of International Projects 



In carrying out research and development in nuclear energy for its 

 member states, the NEA has made several noteworthy innovations 

 in organization. The Agency has three international projects : an ex- 

 perimental nuclear reactor in Norway, one in England, and a nuclear 

 fuel reprocessing plant in Belgium. The innovations of NEA in 

 organizing these projects are instructive for future international 

 ventures of limited scale and specific scope and purpose. 



THE HALDEN PROJECT IN NORWAY 



In the early 1950s the Norwegian Institute for Atomic Energy built 

 an experimental power reactor in southwest Norway at the town of Hal- 

 den. While this reactor does not produce electricity, it produces about 25 

 megawatts of heat output which can be used to make process steam for 

 an adjoining paper factory. In 1958. through a trilateral arrangement 

 involving the Institute, NEA and Euratom, the project became an 

 NEA undertaking:, with the Institute acting as an operating con- 

 tractor. The AEC subsequently entered into a bilateral agreement 

 with the Institute for exchange of technical information. 



The Halden Project is modest in comparison with nuclear projects 

 in the United States. At the end of 1969 its professional staff totalled 

 43, of whom 13 were seconded by signatories other than Norway. Its 

 research program for 1967-69 was about $5.3 million, and its budp-et 

 for 1970-72 a bit less. By the end of 1972 the total financing of the 

 project is expected to amount to $14.5 million. 264 The Institute owns, 

 manages, and operates the project for the signatories with the gui- 

 dance of a board of management and an operating committee. 265 



«• Eurona Yearbook, 1970 < London : Europa Publications, Ltd.. 1070), p. 309. 



•* The Halden Board of Management consists of one member designated by each signa- 

 tory. Its principal functions are annually to approve the joint progrnm of research and 

 experiments and the budget for the program. The Board designates Its own chairman 

 and vice-chairman. It is reaulred to meet at least twice yearly. A representative of the 

 NEA mny attf-nd In an advisory capacity. 



The Operating Committee is composed of one senior technical specialist designated by 

 each signatory. It assists the Board in formulating the joint program, and supervises 

 the carrying out of the joint program by the Institute. The committee approves large 

 contracts and approves the conditions for the scientific and technical personnel, who 

 are paid from the common budget. 



