Ideology, risk and public consultation

The management of spent fuel will soon become the most critical public issue facing the nuclear industry in Canada. While a substantial component of the question lies in the technological realm, the most problematic elements are social and political in nature. Indeed, one official responsibility of the Canadian waste management program is to demonstrate that the geologic repository option is a 'desirable method'. The obstacles involved in fulfilling this part of program's mandate and its present plans to win public confidence are considered by the paper. The limited prospects for the program's success are discussed and an alternative policy framework is advanced