Disposition of high-level waste and spent nuclear fuel : the continuing societal and technical challenges / Committee on Disposition of High-Level Radioactive Waste Through Geological Isolation, Board on Radioactive Waste Management, Division on Earth and Life Studies, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

National Research Council (U.S.) Committee on Disposition of High-Level Radioactive Waste Through Geological Isolation., Content Provider.

National Research Council (U.S.) Board on Radioactive Waste Management., Content Provider.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Radioactive waste disposal in the ground.

Radioactive waste repositories.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (214 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. ; [Great Britain] : National Academy Press, c2001.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Focused attention by world leaders is needed to address the substantial challenges posed by disposal of spent nuclear fuel from reactors and high-level radioactive waste from processing such fuel. The biggest challenges in achieving safe and secure storage and permanent waste disposal are societal, although technical challenges remain. Disposition of radioactive wastes in a deep geological repository is a sound approach as long as it progresses through a stepwise decision-making process that takes advantage of technical advances, public participation, and international cooperation. Written for concerned citizens as well as policymakers, this book was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and waste management organizations in eight other countries.

Contents:

DISPOSITION OF HIGH-LEVEL WASTE AND SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL

Acknowledgments

Preface

Contents

Executive Summary

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDATIONS

1 Disposition of High-Level Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel: An Overview of the Societal and Technical Challenges

QUESTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED IN THIS REPORT

How Can Safety Be Assured for HLW?

How Can Safety and Security Against Human Actions Be Assured for HLW?

What Are the Inherent Limits to Assuring Safety and Security by Geological Repositories or by Surface Storage?

Why Has There Not Been More Progress Toward Geological Disposal?

Are There Available Alternatives to Geological Disposition or Surface Storage?

Do National Programs Have to Choose Now Between Geological Repositories and Surface Storage?

Are New Initiatives Needed in International Cooperation?

2 Principal Findings and Conclusions

TODAY'S GROWING INVENTORY OF HLW REQUIRES ATTENTION BY NATIONAL DECISION MAKERS

THE FEASIBLE OPTIONS ARE MONITORED STORAGE ON OR NEAR THE EARTH'S SURFACE AND GEOLOGICAL DISPOSITION

GEOLOGICAL DISPOSAL REMAINS THE ONLY LONG-TERM SOLUTION AVAILABLE

GEOLOGICAL DISPOSAL IS SCIENTIFICALLY AND TECHNICALLY SOUND, BUT IMPORTANT CHALLENGES REMAIN

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES ARE SOCIETAL

WHETHER, WHEN, AND HOW TO MOVE TOWARD GEOLOGICAL DISPOSAL ARE SOCIETAL DECISIONS FOR EACH COUNTRY

A STEPWISE PROCESS IS APPROPRIATE FOR DECISION MAKING UNDER TECHNICAL AND SOCIETAL UNCERTAINTY

SUCCESSFUL DECISION MAKING IS OPEN, TRANSPARENT, AND BROADLY PARTICIPATORY

SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT IS FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTIVE

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION CAN HELP ACHIEVE NATIONAL SOLUTIONS

3 Principal Recommendations

PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDATION 1

PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDATION 2

PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDATION 3

Technical Actions

Societal Actions.

Common Requirements

PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDATION 4

PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDATION 5

CLOSING COMMENTS

4 National Programs

INVENTORIES OF HIGH-LEVEL WASTE AND SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL

EXAMPLES OF NATIONAL WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

Belgium

Canada

China

Finland

France

Germany

Japan

Netherlands

Russia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

United States

CONCLUSIONS

5 Societal Issues in Radioactive Waste Management

THE ROOTS OF CONCERN

A LEGACY OF DISTRUST

VALUE JUDGMENTS AND ETHICAL ISSUES

Intragenerational Equity

Intergenerational Equity

DISCUSSION: TOWARD AN EQUITABLE SYNTHESIS

RECOMMENDATIONS

6 Scientific and Technical Issues in Radioactive Waste Management

GEOLOGICAL DISPOSAL

SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR MODELING

The Behavior of the Waste Package

The Behavior of the Host Rock in the Immediate Vicinity of the Waste Package (the "Near-Field")

Transport of Radionuclides from the Near-Field Environment

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

DISCUSSION: UNCERTAINTY AND CONFIDENCE BUILDING

The Scientific and Technical Community

The Regulators' Dilemma

The Link Between Scientific and Societal Responsibility

Science, Technology, and Performance Assessment

Confidence and Trust

General Conclusions

7 Alternatives to Geological Disposition

SURFACE STORAGE

SOCIETY'S TWO AVAILABLE DISPOSITION OPTIONS: GEOLOGICAL REPOSITORIES AND SURFACE STORAGE FACILITIES

ALTERNATIVES TO GEOLOGICAL REPOSITORIES AND SURFACE STORAGE

Partitioning and Transmutation

Extraterrestrial Disposal

Geological Alternatives to Mined Repositories: Subseabed and Deep-Borehole Options

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING ALTERNATIVES

8 Improving Decision Making and Implementation

THE NEED FOR A CONSISTENT POLICY THAT ENDURES.

IMPROVING POLICY DECISIONS AND MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION

SITING: A CRUCIAL ASPECT OF SOCIETAL DECISION MAKING

Goals and Objectives

Appropriate Outcomes

Appropriate Process

Summary

LEARNING WHILE DOING-AND KEEPING OPTIONS OPEN

9 International Cooperation

RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRANSCEND NATIONAL BOUNDARIES

SHARING KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND COSTS BETWEEN COUNTRIES

Waste Management Information Is Freely Available

International Organizations Provide a Framework for Collaboration

Joint Projects Are the Most Effective Vehicles for Collaboration

The Role of Commercial Consulting as a Know-How Transfer Mechanism

Some Problems Can Arise During Cooperation- But the Benefits Outweigh These

COLLABORATION THROUGH USE OF COMMON WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES

Transboundary Shipments for Treatment or Storage of Wastes Are Difficult

International Repositories-A Global Issue

Long-Term Safety

Nuclear Security

Economic Issues

Public Acceptability

Political Issues

International Cooperation

International Repositories

References

Appendix A Biographical Sketches of Committee Members

Appendix B Workshop Program

WORKSHOP FINAL AGENDA

Appendix C List of Attendees

Appendix D Acronyms.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9786610185085

9780309170888

0309170885

9781280185083

1280185082

9780309567640

0309567645

OCLC:

70731102