Finding a Solution-The Importance of Transparency
In 1997 Nirex failed to obtain planning permission to build an underground laboratory (Rock Characterization Facility) near the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria, North-West England. This stopped the UK's deep disposal programme. Since then there has been much discussion on how the UK should take the issue of long-term radioactive waste management forward. As part of its contribution to the ongoing debate, Nirex needed to reassess how its role in finding a long-term solution could be better played given its history. It has been suggested that the processes required to deal with such a contentious issue, the conduct of individuals and the structural relationships between organizations, all need to change if any progress is to be made. Specifically, one of the difficulties of the past was the lack of a mechanism to allow all stakeholders and the public to clearly see what had been decided and for what reasons. Nirex believes that central to these changes needs to be a strong ethical framework based on transparency. In order to assess the impact of these initiatives and its performance against them, Nirex commissioned (in 2001) an independent assessment of views from different stakeholder groups. The results of this assessment are presented. In summary, this showed that there is widespread support for these policies and the approach to increased focus on dialogue with stakeholders. In this latter respect, the way in which Nirex is now operating allows the stakeholders to have a direct access to, and influence on, its work programme and this is described.
- Research Organization:
- UK Nirex Ltd, Curie Avenue, Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire, (GB)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- none (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 827674
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Waste Management 2002 Symposium, Tucson, AZ (US), 02/24/2002--02/28/2002; Other Information: PBD: 28 Feb 2002
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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