UK Proposals To Encourage 'Volunteer Repository Communities' Welcomed
Written by NucNet
Friday, 13 June 2008
13 Jun (NucNet): An invitation to communities in the UK to volunteer to
host a deep geological repository for the storage of higher activity
radioactive waste has been welcomed by nuclear industry representatives
and the country's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).
The government published a white paper (policy document) on managing radioactive waste yesterday and said communities interested in finding out more about hosting a facility could open "no-commitment discussions".
UK Nuclear Industry Association chief executive officer Keith Parker said: "The government had already decided upon a method for waste disposal and this white paper represents an important step in the process to delivering a UK repository.
"This is important for the long-term management of our legacy waste and can give confidence for the disposal of waste created through any nuclear new build," he added.
The NDA said it agreed with the government's approach and that it is "committed to listening to and talking with communities, on behalf of the government, in a manner that is honest, open and fair".
The white paper, 'Managing Radioactive Waste Safely,' is available for download on a new web site of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (www.defra.gov.uk).
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 Calls For Volunteer Communities For Deep Geological Repository (News No. 46, 12 June 2008
