Radioactive waste management turning options into solution

Most of the statements from representatives of different countries and institutions focused on the status of high level radioactive waste management, including spent fuel repositories. Speakers dealing with such topics were representatives from countries applying nuclear power for electricity production. They all reported about there national programs on technical and safety aspects of radioactive waste management. The panel discussion extended to questions on political sensitivities and public acceptance; in this respect, interesting developments are taking place in Finland and Sweden. It is expected that Finland will operate a final repository for spent fuel in 10 - 15 years from now, followed close by Sweden. Other countries, however, face decisions by policy makers and elected officials to postpone dealing with waste disposal concerns. In this connection there is relevant experience in our country, too - even in the absence of spent fuel or other high level waste to be dealt with. During personal discussions with representatives of other countries not using nuclear power it was confirmed that there are similar or shared experiences. Development of publicly -accepted solutions to radioactive waste management remains an important issue. Independent of the amount or the activity of radioactive waste, the public at large remains skeptical despite the agreement among experts that disposal can be safe, technically feasible and environmentally sound. In countries not using nuclear power there are only small quantities of low and intermediate level radioactive waste. Therefore, international co-operation among such countries should be an option. There was common understanding by representatives from Norway, Italy and Austria that international co-operation should be developed for treatment and disposal of such waste. For the moment however it has to be accepted that, for political reasons, it is not possible. Forced to deal with the lack of near-term solutions, the scientific community continues to invent more stable waste forms and improved storage. It is a general view that extended interim storage must bridge the time span till a final solution is found. The reality is that waste exists, and the volume of waste continues to grow. Until feasible solutions are demonstrated and implemented, the problem continues to grow. Another reality is that many members of the public exhibit an inherent distrust of all things nuclear, resulting in a lack of political motivation to tackle the resolution of radioactive waste issues. Since most of the topics in the different sessions focused on issues concerning high level waste and spent fuel there were discussions with members of the IAEA to organize a conference focusing on radioactive waste management issues in countries not using nuclear power. There are intentions now to organize an international conference on 'management of radioactive waste from non-power applications - Sharing the experience'. It is considered to be important, since the number of countries nuclear power is four higher then the number of countries applying nuclear power. Operators of waste treatment and/or storage facilities in countries not using nuclear power face the same opposition from the public, but lack in addition the financial background of nuclear power plants. In order to cover the costs for operating such facilities, public financing is necessary in addition to the fee paid by the polluter. (author)