Ian Hore-Lacy, Director of Public Communications World Nuclear Association:

— It is widely accepted in the world nuclear industry that the costs of waste management and disposal are internalised, that is, they are borne by the power producer /utility and built into the cost of electricity sold. There may then be an arrangement for the power producer to pay another, eg national, body to take over the management and disposal.

Ian Hore-Lacy, Director of Public Communications World Nuclear Association:

WNA would say that it is very important to have clear national legislation, regulation and policies regarding radioactive waste management, both for the nuclear industry and for radioisotopes used in medicine or industry.

The safe management of nuclear waste and used nuclear fuel is a widespread, well-demonstrated reality. This strong safety record reflects a high degree of nuclear industry expertise and of industry responsibility for the long term. Accumulating experience and knowledge will only reinforce this already robust safety record. Today’s nuclear operators need to employ available, affordable and scientifically-reliable means to meet their responsibility for disposing safely of nuclear waste and used nuclear fuel. Continued development of deep geological repositories and their operation, beginning in this decade, is important if this responsibility is to be met.

The nuclear industry has demonstrated that it accepts the management responsibility for nuclear waste and used nuclear fuel as a fundamental duty and is prepared to fulfil its obligation with professional dedication and technological skill. WNA welcomes Russia’s new Radioactive Waste Management Act.

It is widely accepted in the world nuclear industry that the costs of waste management and disposal are internalised, that is, they are borne by the power producer /utility and built into the cost of electricity sold. There may then be an arrangement for the power producer to pay another, eg national, body to take over the management and disposal. The new arrangements in the UK are possibly the most sophisticated in this regard, those in the USA possibly the simplest — 0.1 cent per kilowatt hour levied by the utility and paid into a national fund, with the government taking responsibility for disposal, using this fund to pay for it. Sweden and Finland however have the most advanced programs, with clear local public acceptance of deep geological repository sites.

Similarly for decommissioning, the utility /power plant operator needs to set aside funds progressively so that when the plant is finally closed there is enough money to demolish it.