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AWE Atomic Weapons Establishment plc
31 October 2006
Petition from the Residents of Southend, Rochford, Great Wakering, Little Wakering, Barling and Foulness Island, Essex
Thank you for your letter of 11 October 2006 inviting AWE plc's comments in respect of the petition from residents of Essex about the disposal of radioactive waste on MoD land at Foulness. Our observations are as follows.
As nuclear site licensee for the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), AWE plc already holds authorisations from the Environment Agency (the Regulator) to discharge and dispose of radioactive wastes under the Radioactive Substances Act (RSA) 1993. The Environment Agency has a policy of periodically reviewing such authorisations. A review is due in respect of AWE sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield, and AWE plc has applied to the Regulator for new authorisations.
Over the period 1998 to 2003, warhead waste components from AWE sites were transferred to the MoD and safely disposed of at Foulness under appropriate RSA authorisations. The components and ordnance in question contained low levels of tritium, which is a weak beta-emitting radioisotope of hydrogen. (Tritium particles will not penetrate unbroken skin. The hazard comes from ingestion-through open wounds or through tritiated water or water vapour).
For operational reasons, we need to keep open the option to use Foulness if necessary in the future. Thus AWE plc has applied for appropriate authorisations, to replace the current MoD arrangements, for the potential transfer of material for subsequent safe disposal by the operator of Foulness. The Environment Agency is proposing to reduce the permissible volumes of waste that could be disposed of via this route. Any unavoidable future such operations would be conducted, as in the past, under the independent scrutiny and authorisation of the Regulator.
All of this is being done openly with complete transparency. AWE plc has followed due process in its application for the renewal of waste disposal authorisations under the RSA 1993. I can assure you that safety remains at all times paramount both here at the Atomic Weapons Establishment sites and in respect of our waste disposal operations. As a responsible nuclear operator, we maintain a very clear sense of duty and commitment in respect of the protection of our employees and contractors, the general public and the environment.
You may find it helpful to view the further information on this subject-The Disposal of Warhead Wastes at Foulness, Essex-which has been published on the Environment Agency's website www. Environment-agency.gov.uk. I would conclude by adding that it was good to meet with members of the House of Commons Defence Committee when they visited AWE Aldermaston on 26 September.
Don Cook Managing Director |