The Long-Term Options
51. Earlier in this report we commented on the need
for a staged process to develop policy and the need to develop
criteria for evaluating the options for radioactive waste disposal.
Perhaps the first question for consultation is to develop a list
of options for dealing with nuclear waste which on first sight
appear both feasible and acceptable. Appendix 1 of the consultation
document itself lists nine long term options:
Above Ground Storage
Underground Disposal
Underground Storage
Partitioning and Transmutation
Disposal at Sea
Sub-Seabed Disposal
Outer Space
Subduction Zones
Ice Sheets[70]
52. Others may be suggested by Government, industry,
NGOs or the public. It might be tempting, because of the long
timescales involved with radioactive waste, to arrive at a solution
which would limit the options of future generations to change
their minds about decisions made in our lifetimes. To debate the
various pros and cons will require a great deal of information,
such as order of magnitude capital and operating costs, possible
timing, etc. Such information must be open to discussion, especially
as regards the main assumptions made in developing the data.
53. Perhaps an analogy for the type of process required
is the work done by Shell during the last decade in finding an
acceptable way of disposing the redundant Brent spar unit. That
commenced with a request to a wide range of interested parties
for ideas, a very open analysis of these, followed by debates
to narrow down the options to one most acceptable solution.
Actions Required at the End of
the First Consultation Process
54. The Government should be preparing to act quickly
at the end of the first consultation period in March. Various
questions should be dealt with relatively rapidly: for example,
the independent body should be established as quickly as possible;
it may also be possible to determine quickly whether the stockpiles
of uranium and plutonium should be declared as waste. The whole
process is due to take several years and unless some momentum
is gained fairly quickly, by establishing clear staging posts
along the route, the Government risks feeding the cynicism of
the public by overseeing a process which limps from stage to stage
without establishing legitimacy.
We suggest that the following should have high priority:
The development of a statement of principles
and purpose of the consultation process
The proposal of a desired structure to carry out this process
The consultation with stakeholders and the public and the making
of changes to the proposals where necessary
The setting up of the 'independent body' and the making of other
required organisational changes (e.g. Nirex) or any alternative
arising from the initial consultation process We suggest that
this stage should be reached before the end of 2002.
Subsequently, the new body should commence investigation
of alternative methods of disposal by requesting proposals for
radioactive waste disposal from industry, Government, other stakeholders
and the public.
The Committee requires that the Government submit
to it a report on progress with the consultation process by 31
December 2002 and that it should do so annually thereafter.
61 Evidence taken on 3 December 2001, Ev 48, Q.126. Back
62
Evidence taken on 3 December 2001, Ev 49, Q.130. Back
63
Evidence taken on 3 December 2001, Ev 49, Q.127 and 128. Back
64
House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology, "Management
of Nuclear Waste", 1999, Par. 4.47 and 4.50 Back
65
H.o L. Select Committee on Science and Technology, "Managing
Radioactive Waste : the Government's Consultation" HL
Paper 36, 2001, Minutes of Evidence, Item 16. Back
66
Managing Radioactive Waste Safely: Proposals for developing a
policy for managing solid radioactive waste in the UK, DEFRA,
September 2001, Executive Summary p 7. Back
67
Evidence taken on 17 December 2001, Ev 89, Q 297. Back
68
Evidence taken on 17 December 2001, Ev 79, Q.250. Back
69
Managing Radioactive Waste Safely: Proposals for developing a
policy for managing solid radioactive waste in the UK, DEFRA and
the devolved administrations, September 2001 p.59. Para 7.15 Back
70
Managing Radioactive Waste Safely: Proposals for developing a
policy for managing solid radioactive waste in the UK, DEFRA,
September 2001, App 1. Back
