• PAST ATTEMPTS AT A SOLUTION

    This is not the UK’s first attempt to deal with the problem of radioactive waste. Research into the issue began in the 1970s, and in 1980s Nirex was established by the nuclear industry to examine methods of radioactive waste disposal.

    However, confidence in Nirex’s approach was seriously damaged by events, particularly the failed attempt in the 1990s to gain planning permission for the Rock Characterisation Facility close to Sellafield. This facility was seen as a precursor to a possible repository, and its purpose was to test the suitability of the local geology for deep disposal of waste.

    The opposition of various stakeholders including, green groups, local communities and local government helped to prevent the facility from becoming a reality – effectively leaving the UK with a national policy vacuum, and no clear plan for resolving the issue.

    Following a review of the planning inquiry, Nirex identified lessons that could be learned for the future. One key finding was that there was a need to be open and transparent and to engage with the social and ethical context of long-term radioactive waste management, and to communicate more actively and openly with society as a whole. In essence, Nirex concluded that technical and scientific expertise is of little value if stakeholders question the organisation’s core values and motivations.

    It’s also important to note that the UK is not alone in dealing with the nuclear legacy, and there are also lessons to learn from abroad. Finland, France, Germany, Sweden and the USA in particular have made progress towards implementing geological disposal, and there are many opportunities to benefit from the experiences gained through similar programmes in these other countries.