NUMO's strategy for HLW repository siting based on a volunteering approach
- Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan (NUMO), Tokyo (Japan)
There is a growing international consensus that the implementation of a deep geological repository for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) may be more determined by the degree of acceptance by stakeholders - particularly local communities - than by particular technical issues. For NUMO, the organisation responsible for HLW disposal in Japan, the critical importance of such acceptance led to the decision to initiate a volunteering approach to siting. This decision influences the entire implementation program, resulting in particular challenges for site characterisation, developing repository designs and the associated programme of performance assessment and supporting R and D. It also, however, leads to special need for openness and transparency in the decision-making process, particularly that associated with the gradual narrowing in to a favoured site and design for licensing. This paper outlines NUMO's strategy for planning this project, which balances the requirements to maintain a clear focused programme while, at the same time, assuring the flexibility to respond to the inevitable surprises and changes in constraints and boundary conditions. Particular emphasis is placed on practicality, ensuring that ambitious goals can be achieved despite somewhat limited resources. (authors)
- Research Organization:
- WM Symposia, 1628 E. Southern Avenue, Suite 9 - 332, Tempe, AZ 85282 (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 21290801
- Report Number(s):
- INIS-US-09-WM-07189; TRN: US10V0126038212
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: WM'07: 2007 Waste Management Symposium - Global Accomplishments in Environmental and Radioactive Waste Management: Education and Opportunity for the Next Generation of Waste Management Professionals, Tucson, AZ (United States), 25 Feb - 1 Mar 2007; Other Information: Country of input: France; 7 refs
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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