Nuclear waste disposal goes public

Proposals for the way in which a site will be chosen for the long-term disposal of radioactive waste were today published for public consultation.

The consultation, issued by the UK government and the administrations in Wales and Northern Ireland, is seeking views on the technical aspects of designing and delivering a disposal facility for higher-activity radioactive waste, and on the process and criteria to be used in deciding where the future facility should be located.

Based on the recommendation of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM), the government announced last year that geological disposal, coupled with safe and secure interim storage, is the way forward for the long-term management of the UK's higher activity radioactive wastes.

UK Environment Minister Ian Pearson said that the government was proposing an entirely new approach based on the concept communities expressing an interest in taking part in the process.