CoRWM : takes no position on new nuclear power stations
CoRWM is neither for nor against building new nuclear power stations.
CoRWM : position on new build waste
Our position on wastes from new nuclear power stations (“new build wastes”) is here 2010 CoRWM Statement of its Position on New Build Wastes(doc. 2749).
Our work on new build wastes
Our scrutiny and advice work on new build wastes covers:
- how waste issues are considered in decisions on whether to build new nuclear power stations
- plans to ensure that, if new build wastes are created, they are safely and securely managed
- preventing the management of new build wastes having adverse effects on managing existing wastes
Our future work on new build wastes
- In 2010-11 we will be considering new build wastes during all of our tasks except those connected with Scottish Government policy.
- When we scrutinise interim storage plans, geological disposal plans and associated research we will be looking at whether and how new build wastes are included.
Our response to Government’s 2010 consultation on new nuclear build
In March 2010 we responded to the Government consultation on its Draft National Policy Statements for Energy Infrastructure. We dealt only with questions relevant to the management of higher activity wastes (HAW) from new nuclear power stations.
Our main issue was whether we agree with the Government’s preliminary conclusion that “effective arrangements exist or will exist” to manage and dispose of new build wastes.
We consider that, while some of the arrangements exist, others do not, and that Government must judge whether all the arrangements will exist by the time they are needed.
When it makes its judgement, the Government should take into account that the process of siting a geological disposal facility for higher activity wastes is at an early stage. It is necessary to find a site that it is technically suitable, in a place where the local community is willing to host a facility, and it is uncertain whether the required combination of site and community can be found.
We also made points about the need for prospective operators of new power stations to optimise the management and disposal of new build wastes and for them to put more effort into gaining public confidence in their proposed waste management arrangements.
Our full response to the consultation is here (doc. 2748).