National
Screening Exercise
Most
of the radioactive waste
produced as a result of
nuclear power generation
in the UK since the
1950s is currently
stored at the surface. A
recent White Paper on
implementing
Geological Disposalconfirms
government’s policy
objective of disposing
of higher level wastes
in a Geological Disposal
Facility (GDF),
minimising the need for
management by future
generations by isolating
waste within a suitable
rock formation, at a
sufficient depth that
harmful quantities of
radiation do not reach
the surface. The White
Paper recognises that a
GDF must be sited in an
area in which the local
community has
volunteered to host the
facility, and which is
geologically suitable.
The Geological Society
issued a statement on
the White Paper.
The
process outlined in the
White Paper identifies
geological evaluation as
a priority from the
outset. The developer, Radioactive
Waste Management
Limited (RWM),
will undertake a
national Geological
Screening Exercise over
the next two years, and
effective communication
of the results of this
exercise and of
supporting geological
information will be
vital in informing the
deliberations of
potential host
communities. An
independent review panel
will be established by
the Geological Society
to review the robustness
and suitability of the
screening guidance and
its subsequent
application.
The
screening exercise will
be discussed at a
one-day technical
meeting at Burlington
House on 30 September.
The meeting is aimed at
geoscientists and other
professional specialists
involved in the process,
but is open to all. It
will be followed by
other events giving the
public and interested
stakeholders the
opportunity to express
their views. Attendance
is free but advance
registration is
required.
Jenny Huggett (2/9/2014)
