New Reactor
NRG PALLAS intends to build a multifunctional nuclear reactor on the site of the existing Petten Research Location, for the production of medical isotopes, industrial isotopes, and conducting nuclear technological research. The Zijper Landscape, Stichting Duinbehoud, and Pettemerduinen Nuclear Reactor Free! do not agree with this permit. They fear that the reactor will harm the natural, environmental, and landscape values in the area.
Unclear if permit complies with zoning plan
The municipality has determined in the zoning plan for the Pallas reactor that the construction and use of the reactor may not cause more nitrogen deposition than stated in an annex of the zoning plan. The organizations argued that the municipal executive board did not justify whether the environmental permit complies with this rule in the plan. The Administrative Jurisdiction Division rules in the judgment that the board only took the position at the hearing in September 2025 that the permit complies with this rule in the zoning plan. The board refers to the so-called appropriate assessment in the plan-MER of the zoning plan. However, according to the Administrative Jurisdiction Division, this is not sufficient to assess whether the permit complies with the zoning plan. And because the board only took a position at the hearing and not earlier, the organizations had no opportunity to respond. The board indicated at the hearing that it needs four months to prepare the required nitrogen calculation. The board is also granted this period in the interim ruling.
No final ruling yet
So far, no final ruling has been made on the environmental permit for the reactor. If the board takes a so-called recovery decision, the Administrative Jurisdiction Division will assess whether the deficiency in the environmental permit has been remedied. There is also a lawsuit pending with the Administrative Jurisdiction Division against the nuclear energy permit and the Water Act permit for the reactor.
A ruling on this will be made later.
