News story: Government launches new policy to deal with radioactive waste

Following today’s written ministerial statement by Richard Harrington 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