Russia’s Accounts Chamber not to back draft law of Rosatom on NSR and Arctic infrastructure

The Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation says it has carried out an expertise of the drafts federal law “On introduction of amendments into the federal law “On ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation” and some legislative acts of the Russian Federation” and, taking into account the results, decided not to back that draft law. 

The draft law was developed by Rosatom in pursuance of presidential instructions given on 28 October 2017 (No Пр-2192). The document provides for establishing a body responsible for comprehensive development of the Northern Sea Route and adjacent Arctic territories including infrastructure development, hydrographic support, security, management and all related services through granting the authority to Rosatom.

According to the Accounts Chamber, the draft law provides for Rosatom to take over the functions of other federal executive authorities but suggests excluding an important function of developing proposals on state policy in the field of nuclear energy use including development and safe functioning of nuclear-powered icebreakers. 

Under the draft law, this function is just to cover nuclear-powered icebreakers involved in escorts in the Northern Sea Route waters. 

In the opinion of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, this does not fully comply with the instructions of the President.

The Accounts Chamber also says that allocations for execution of some functions foreseen by the draft law have not been earmarked by the 2018 budget or by the budget planned for 2019 and 2020.  The sources of funding the new functions of Rosatom have not been defined which fails to meet the requirements of the Budget Code of the Russian Federation.