Deep underground disposal of radioactive waste in the United Kingdom
The UK Government`s radioactive waste disposal policy is for intermediate-level waste, and low-level waste as necessary, to be buried in a deep underground repository, and Nirex is the company, owned by the nuclear industry, charged with developing that deep facility. The Company`s current focus is on surface-based geological investigations to determine the suitability of a potential repository site near Sellafield, Cumbria, in north-west England. Nirex`s next step is to construct a deep underground laboratory (rock characterization facility, or RCF). Subject to a successful outcome from these investigations, Nirex will submit a planning application for the 650m deep repository at the end of this decade; this will be the subject of a further public inquiry. The timetable for the project assumes that a deep repository, capable of taking 400,000m{sup 3} of waste, will be available by about 2010. In 1994, the UK Government began reviewing the future of the nuclear power industry and, as a separate exercise, radioactive waste management and disposal policy. Both reviews involved widespread consultations. The radwaste review has concentrated on three aspects: general policies; legal aspects of disposal (including safety requirements); and the principles of site selection and the protection of human health. Preliminary conclusions of the main radwaste review were published in August 1994. These confirmed that government continued to favor disposal rather than extended surface storage of waste. The final outcome of the review, including institutional aspects, is expected in the Spring of 1995.
- OSTI ID:
- 220992
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950917--; ISBN 0-7918-1219-7
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Current Status of the United Kingdom Programme for Long-Term Radioactive Waste Management
The role of the rock characterization facility in the Nirex Programme to evaluate the suitability of the Sellafield Site for disposal of intermediate level waste
Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
COST ESTIMATION
DESIGN
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
EVALUATION
FINANCING
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
INTERMEDIATE-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
PLANNING
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
REGULATIONS
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCK MECHANICS
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
UNITED KINGDOM