As already described, an application for a site license, whether part of a more general license or a stand-alone application, needs to identify the precise site on which the applicant proposes to build a nuclear power station, and the characteristics of the site need to be described, as do the mutual interactions between the plant and the site. The submitted docu­mentation should be analyzed by the RB against established safety prin­ciples, such as: [110]

of implementing emergency countermeasures (including possible evac­uation of areas around the site). As already mentioned, the potential difficulties of a nuclear emergency within a more general emergency should also be considered by the RB.

• The social, economic and environmental effects of the NPP. An NPP will have effects on the surrounding population and the environment. The RB should consider the population density and the proximity to large and medium cities, technological parks, recreational areas, national parks and heritage locations which may become heavily affected by radiation releases of a certain magnitude.

The analysis by the RB experts requires knowledge and experience in earth sciences to determine the magnitude of the maximum possible natural events, as well as experts on man-made events, and people with experience of emergency planning. The best help to the RB will probably come from national institutions dealing with such phenomena and activities. A site license will typically contain requirements and limitations on the site’s preparation activities that may be conducted before construction begins.

Many RBs require that a local environmental impact statement (EIS), assessing the impact caused by the future power plant, is also submitted by the applicant and analyzed by the RB at the time of site evaluation. It is also customary at this stage to inform stakeholders of the project and to allow them to formally make representations detailing any reservations they may have about the project. Some countries, for example the UK, require that a Public Inquiry should be called at which the applicant is invited to present their case and to hear and consider the contributions and concerns raised by participating stakeholders. The involvement of stake­holders in nuclear issues before deciding the construction of a new nuclear power plant is recommended in INSAG-22 (INSAG, 2008a).