Following today’s written ministerial statement by
and the
publication of Implementing
Geological Disposal - Working with Communities by
the Department for
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Radioactive
Waste Management (RWM), a subsidiary of the Nuclear
Decommissioning Authority, will now begin the search
for a willing host community and a suitable site to
construct a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF).
Geological disposal is one of the UK’s largest ever
environmental protection projects, which will provide a
safe and secure long-term solution for the disposal of
higher activity radioactive waste.
Malcolm Morley, Chairman of RWM’s Board of Directors,
stated:
RWM recognises that this nationally important project
needs to contribute positively to the community within
which it is located. Working with communities will be at
the very centre of its approach to the delivery of the
GDF.
Bruce McKirdy, Managing Director of RWM, said:
Our highly experienced team has been preparing for this
vital project to provide a long-term solution for the
management of higher activity radioactive waste. We will
now embark upon an engagement programme to help
individuals, businesses and communities understand how
they can get involved.
David Peattie, Chief Executive of the Nuclear
Decommissioning Authority, said:
Although the UK has made significant progress in dealing
with the radioactive waste left over from decades of
nuclear activities, today’s announcement is a vital step
towards finally cleaning-up our nuclear legacy.
In support of the Government’s policy announcement, RWM
simultaneously published information for communities
including:
In addition, we have also launched a consultation on how we
will evaluate sites in England:
Anyone interested in learning more about geological
disposal and what it could mean for their community should
visit our website or
contact RWM via gdfenquiries@nda.gov.uk
