A 'bottom-up' approach which will allow communities to decide whether they want to explore the possibility of hosting a deep geological repository for nuclear waste has been welcomed by Cumbria County Council's cabinet member responsible for nuclear issues.
The publication of the Government's White Paper 'Managing Radioactive Waste Safely: A Framework for Geological Disposal' today has underlined the Government's commitment to a siting process based on volunteerism. A community's willingness to participate, local and national partnership and long-term additional investment for a community willing to host a deep geological disposal facility will all be crucial factors in deciding where higher-level radioactive waste will be stored.
The Government's recognition that major local decisions within any siting process must be taken by local authorities has also been welcomed. Cumbria County Council is committed to working with its district partners to ensure a fully joined-up approach throughout. The White Paper outlines a process where decisions such as participation at key stages, the right to withdraw from a siting process, what community support packages are acceptable and local views on site locations will all be informed by the work of a siting partnership made up of local area stakeholders and community representatives.
Cllr Tony Markley, Cumbria County Council's cabinet member responsible for nuclear issues, said:
"The message from Cumbria is 'we're listening'. This White Paper starts a process which will allow Government to have a meaningful dialogue with communities who may wish to explore the possibility of hosting a deep geological nuclear storage facility.
"Communities want clear indications of what is on the table and will also need to be confident about the long-term environmental safety of any site. The dialogue will take time, effort and resources and the Government will need to back the process every step of the way so that the local decision making process is robust, transparent and durable.
"The Government's commitment not to impose a repository on an unwilling community is certainly welcome and everyone recognises that progress needs to be made on a long-term solution for storing our radioactive waste. As two thirds of higher level radioactive waste earmarked for disposal is already held at Sellafield, the issue of where any underground storage facility is eventually sited will affect this county, regardless of where that facility ends up."
ENDS
Please note: Cumbria County Council's media team telephone numbers have now changed.
Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 226332