Following public consultation on the draft earlier this year, Government has today published its updated policy framework Implementing Geological Disposal - Working with Communities. This is applicable to England only: a separate, but compatible policy is promised for publication by the Welsh Government in due course.
This important policy step has enabled Radioactive Waste Management Ltd to launch its Siting process with the invitation to communities to find out more about what would be involved in hosting a geological disposal facility and whether the geology in their area might be suitable. To aid this process RWM has published its long-awaited geological screening information and issued its Site Evaluation methodology for public consultation.
RWM has also issued Community Guidance explaining how it anticipates working with communities throughout the Siting process and an accompanying Prospectus introducing the project and setting out why a community might want to get involved.
Working with Communities
The new policy framework for the long-term management of higher activity radioactive waste confirms Radioactive Waste Management Ltd as the delivery body for the planned geological disposal facility. The framework maintains the previously proposed consent-based approach and sets out the working arrangements between RWM and the community. The policy describes the proposals for community investment funding, the right of withdrawal and the test of public support. The policy also sets out the role of the Community Partnership and principal local authority/ies.
National Geological Screening
Radioactive Waste Management’s national geological screening information is now live. The geological screening web-site presents for the first time information and maps describing the geology of England, Wales and Northern Ireland down to a depth of around 1000 metres, with the particular objective of informing that initial question might the geology in my area be suitable to host a geological disposal facility?
Public Consultation
Consultation on Radioactive Waste Management Ltd’s proposals for evaluation of potential host sites for geological disposal opened today. The consultation runs through to the end of March.