nuclear-news

UK hastening plan to bury radioactive waste

Govt fast-tracks nuclear dumps despite warnings, The Independent/London, 29 July 12 The burial of radioactive nuclear waste is to be fast-tracked by the government despite warnings about the risks.
Ministers have revealed an “enduring ambition” for Britain’s first burial of waste from nuclear power stations to happen as early as 2029, instead of 2040 as originally planned, The Independent on Sunday revealed.
Opponents warn acceleration of the idea will mean cutting corners, and
over-riding the views of people living near burial sites.
The idea of entombing waste from reactors deep underground was first
raised by the Labour government six years ago, with the emphasis on
“voluntarism”.
Councils were encouraged to come forward and offer to host the
radioactive matter.
But the coalition wants the process to move faster, and has asked the
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to carry out research into
“the potential options for acceleration”.
The waste would be buried in containers at depths of up to 1,000m with
both metal and the natural rock preventing radiation being released.
Under the original plans the first intermediate level waste would be
buried in 2040, with high level waste and spent fuels going
underground in 2075, followed by spent fuel from new build nuclear
reactors in 2130.
The project would close from 2175.
Last year the NDA said it had “confidence” the 2075 and 2130 dates
could be brought forward, but shifting the 2040 date to 2029 was “more
challenging” and required consideration of other approaches which
bring “a higher degree of programme risk”.
However, a new report on Implementing Geological Disposal, seen by The
Independent on Sunday, reveals the government is determined to press
ahead with acceleration, despite “the inherent risks”.
“Acceleration remains an enduring ambition for ministers but no
decisions will be taken until NDA’s further work is complete,” it
said.
Dr Douglas Parr, chief scientist at Greenpeace UK, said: “Acceleration
of plans for burying nuclear waste could only be achieved by
by-passing proper consideration of hazards or railroading local
communities.”….
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=522024&version=1&template_id=38&parent_id=20

July 30, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | UK, wastes