The Socio-Technical Multi-Criteria Evaluation (STMCE) Method for Radioactive Waste Management Strategies: From the U.S. Experience to Other Applications

The nuclear fuel cycle generates a variety of radioactive waste materials coming from many and diverse production points. Yet, different radioactive waste types imply that different management and disposal strategies must be developed. Moreover, because radioactive waste materials are connected to a highly regulated and socially debated nuclear energy technology, their management strategies raise technical challenges, as well as potential social conflicts and public controversies. Radioactive waste management (RWM) is indeed increasingly seen as much a technical issue as a societal issue affected by social, environmental, political, and legal constraints. Consequently, it is now well accepted that a "workable" approach to RWM is towards finding compromise solutions that provide adequate levels of both safety and social and political acceptance. Consequently, it has become evident that RWM cannot be limited to a discussion among experts and scientists who advise on the "best" technical and policy strategies. Rather, the scope of the discussion and decision-making process must be broadened to consider both technical and societal dimensions, as equally important. The paper presents the Socio-Technical Multi-Criteria Evaluation Method (STMCE) that was developed in the U.S. context of commercial spent fuel management. STMCE offers a framework and method for the socio-technical, multi-criteria evaluation of RWM strategies, as well as a coalition formation process of social actors. The paper then discusses other potential applications of the STMCE method in the broader context of RWM. (author)