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UK Announces Plans for Deep Geological Disposal |
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| UK Announces Plans For Deep Geological Disposal |
| 25-Oct-2006 |
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The UK's high-level nuclear waste will be managed through deep geological disposal, with the government looking for "a strong partnership" with local communities over the selection of sites, as part of plans announced today.
Environment secretary David Miliband told parliament that the decision accepts the recommendation of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM), an independent government advisory committee that in July 2006 recommended deep geological disposal as the best option for the long-term management of the UK's high-level radioactive waste.
He told parliament: "We are not seeking to impose radioactive waste on any community. I am determined that the new approach for selecting sites will be carried out from the beginning in an open, transparent way with appropriate opportunity for public and stakeholder, as well as expert community, involvement," he said.
"Disposal facilities will only be built in a geologically suitable area, and we will consider how geological and scientific considerations will be meshed with other societal considerations. For a successful programme, both criteria will need to be met."
The government said it would consider what benefit packages might be offered to host communities. CoRWM had recommended that benefits be offered to communities that volunteer to host disposal facilities.
In its July 2006 recommendations, CoRWM said deep geological disposal would need to be underpinned by "robust interim storage" until a repository site is selected, which could take several decades. Mr Miliband said today that until geological disposal facilities are available, there will be a continuing need for safe and secure interim storage.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) will take responsibility for securing geological disposal. Mr Miliband said the NDA would have "clear responsibilities and accountabilities." The NDA was set up in April 2005, under the Energy Act 2004, to take responsibility for the UK's nuclear legacy.
CoRWM reached its recommendations after a three-year process that examined the technical, scientific, ethical and social aspects of all the potential options. The recommendations apply to the estimated 470,000 cubic metres of waste that currently exist or will arise through decommissioning of nuclear sites.
Public consultation on the disposal plan and the process of site selection will begin in 2007, with decisions on the siting process to be taken in 2007 or 2008.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
UK Waste Committee Recommends Deep Geological Disposal (News No. 86, 28 April 2006)
UK Waste Committee Recommends ‘Community Incentives' For Disposal Sites (News No. 165, 31 July 2006)
UK Radwaste Policy Announcement ‘Could Be Next Month' (News No. 190, 6 September 2006)
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Source: NucNet |
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