Inquiry report supports BNFL reprocessing plan
Inquiries into whether the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. (BNFL) should construct a reprocessing plant at Windscale, England concluded that the plant, limited to 1200 tons of spent fuel a year, is needed to secure future energy supplies. Local officials will be able to approve appearance and effluent-monitoring plans. Two years have elapsed since BNFL submitted its first planning application, with inquiries being made into environmental, safety, and security risks. The arguments for and against the proposed plant are summarized. Public misunderstanding of the reprocessing of fuels and fears of weapons proliferation may be an obstacle to construction of the thermal oxide fuel reprocessing plant (THORP). Supporters of reprocessing point to the buildup of spent fuels and to the economic loss and radiation risks associated with storing spent fuel. The report disagrees with the Carter antiproliferation policy while suggesting strategies for reducing security risks and noting the economic and social importance of nuclear energy.
- OSTI ID:
- 6869606
- Journal Information:
- Energy Int.; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Int.; (United States) Vol. 15:5; ISSN ENEIB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
052002 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storage
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
CONSTRUCTION
ENERGY SOURCES
EUROPE
FUEL CYCLE
FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS
FUELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR FUELS
PROLIFERATION
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
REACTOR MATERIALS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFEGUARDS
SAFETY
SECURITY
THEFT
UNITED KINGDOM
WASTES