Where is the "clear vision" for waste disposal?

February 19, 2015

Editorial: Clear vision needed in choosing final disposal sites for radioactive waste

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/perspectives/news/20150219p2a00m0na005000c.html

Approximately 17,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel has been stockpiled in Japan. If any of the nation's idled nuclear reactors were restarted, the amount of radioactive waste would further increase. All nuclear waste must be safety disposed of.

The government's nuclear policy, however, has not gone far enough in considering the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel.

A working group within the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry has essentially approved revisions to a basic policy on the final disposal of radioactive nuclear plant waste under the Designated Radioactive Waste Final Disposal Act. The move follows intensified debate following the outbreak of the Fukushima nuclear crisis. Under the proposed revisions, the government would change several points in the procedure for selecting candidate sites for final repositories while retaining the method of sealing radioactive waste tightly in special containers and burying the containers deep underground.

To settle on a final repository, the government has switched from an open application system to one under which the national government selects candidate sites it deems scientifically suitable. The open application system could cause friction within local communities even before the national government examines whether the areas are suited to host a final repository for high-level radioactive waste. The change is significant in that the central government will list up candidate sites based on scientific evidence, separate from local interests and local residents' opinions.

Still, a final repository cannot be selected easily simply by changing the way candidate sites are chosen. The most important task is establish a process for consensus acceptable to all those concerned, including local residents.

The proposed revisions call for establishment of a venue for dialogue in which local residents participate at an early stage and share information with the government in a bid to form a consensus. Needless to say, such a venue is important, but questions remain as to how to manage the venue.

There are numerous examples worldwide that show how difficult it is to form a consensus. Of all countries that possess atomic power stations, Finland and Sweden are the only countries that have selected sites for their final repositories for spent nuclear fuel. The German government had once selected the location of final disposal site but later retracted the decision the year before last because questions were raised over the selection process. In the United States, the government canceled its plan to build a final repository because of stiff opposition from local residents, while residents of a candidate site in France are arguing over the pros and cons of hosting such a facility.

Japan needs to pursue suitable selection methods while keeping other examples from across the world in mind. In such efforts, it is important to ensure transparency of relevant information and nurture the public's confidence in the government and scientists. The proposed revisions mention the possibility of recovering spent nuclear fuel after such waste is brought into the final disposal site. There is a possibility that new disposal technology will be developed, but it is highly unlikely that expectations for such technology will facilitate the consensus-forming process. Offering incentives to local bodies willing to host such a facility is not enough to convince local residents.

Priority should be placed on restraining further increases in the volume of radioactive waste across the country. The government will likely be able to help build a consensus among residents of candidate sites by drawing a road map to phase out nuclear power, thereby clarifying its stance to prevent the amount of radioactive waste from growing. The Science Council of Japan has proposed that electric power companies set up temporary storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel in their respective service areas. The proposal is useful in encouraging members of the general public to consider the issue of radioactive waste as something that affects each and every one of them as individuals.

February 19, 2015(Mainichi Japan)