SOME ENVIRONMENTAL LAW QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE EXTENSION OF PAKS NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

Abstract

The Hungarian Parliament’s Decision 25/2009 (IV.2.) gave the approval to start preparatory activities for establishing new reactors on-site at Paks Nuclear Power Plant. Furthermore, Hungary ratified a treaty with the Russian Federation, signed in Moscow on January 14, 2014, for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Through these activities, Hungary has made its commitment to nuclear energy clear. In this article, we attempt to prove that neither the law of the European Union, nor the current national legislation can present obstacles to this decision. At the same time, we will draw upon the circumstances that accompanied the decision-making process. In doing so, we will reveal that by violating the access to information, public participation and integration and precautionary principles, the legitimacy of this decision was needlessly damaged.