Integration of science and society in the high level radioactive waste policy process - Lessons from the US, Sweden and Japan

The disposal of high level radioactive waste (HLW) is a controversial and timely example of the need for an improved integration of science in policy making. This paper examines the policies of HLW and spent nuclear fuel management, in particular the effort to locate a deep geological repository in three countries, the US, Sweden and Japan. The paper investigates the following three issues; (l) Definition of HLW, (2) siting Process and (3) Scientific Uncertainty. Based on the analysis, we conclude that democratic process and flexibility are the two key important variables, and that Swedish program's flexible nature of the program and democratic siting process presents the best model integrating science and policy. The existence of interim storage facility and transparent siting process is a step towards strengthening trust and understand among the multiple parties and provides desirable flexibility in HLW program. (author)