Proposals for the way in which a site will be chosen for the long-term disposal of higher activity radioactive waste were today published for public consultation by the UK Government and the devolved administrations in Wales and Northern Ireland.
DEFRA Press Release 25th June 2007 http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=294304&NewsAreaID=2
Wanted: communities to volunteer to host a giant underground nuclear bunker. Guaranteed jobs for thousands of years; attractive annual payment package; should be in geologically stable area.
Guardian 25th June 2007 http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2111332,00.html
The UK’s long-term waste management process took a major divergent step today as England, Wales and Northern Ireland began a deep repository consultation while Scotland stated it would continue with surface storage. The Westminster government, along with the governments of Wales and Northern Ireland, launched the consultation on how a repository site will be chosen for “higher activity” waste. It seeks views on repository design and build, as well as the process and criteria to be used in deciding where a repository would be located. UK environment minister Ian Pearson claimed the repository process is “an entirely new approach” based on communities volunteering. But the Scottish government ruled out deep disposal, saying it would not endorse the consultation process and allow deep disposal in Scotland.
Nuclear Engineering International 25th June 2007 http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectioncode=132&storyCode=2045263
THE Scottish Executive yesterday broke ranks with Westminster and refused to take part in a consultation on burying nuclear waste. UK ministers are to gather opinions on the controversial method of storing radioactive material underground. But Richard Lochhead, the environment secretary, said Scotland will not take part because nuclear waste will not be buried north of the Border. Environmental groups, who fear burying radioactive waste could be dangerous, welcomed the decision. But scientists questioned the early dismissal of the method, which could prove to be the best way to deal with radioactive waste in the future. And opposition politicians hit out at the Executive for “again causing unnecessary conflict” with Westminster.
Scotsman 26th June 2007 http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=994422007
