Colin_b
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2007
- Messages
- 1,779
- Location
- Leicester
- Car
- C250CDI (C320CDI & SLK350, Sold) & the Trusty Citigo
But surely the government can't just go around asking local authorities 'would you mind terribly if we dumped the nations' nuclear waste in your back garden? It's all very safe you know" - why would anyone say 'yes'? Surely the government must have absolute powers to make such decisions. With proper planning and consultations, yes, and local authorities should be allowed to make representations, but the government must have the last say - or we risk ending-up with nuclear waste that we can't bury anywhere?
Why would anyone say yes? I would, as it already stored within a couple of miles of my home, above ground in concrete silos at Sellafield. That is a short term, hideously expensive - £3BN p/a, and potentially risky method, but quick and cheap in the short term.
Putting it properly underground, in the right geology is the correct long term solution, together with recycling* the highest level waste.
Sellafield employs a large percentage of people who live locally, so the understanding of nuclear hazards is well understood, both the risks and benefits.
*Highest level waste is the leftovers from nuclear weapons, principally plutonium, an extremely contaminating, long half life, toxic and energy dense element. We wait for HMG to classify this as waste to be disposed of, or asset to be reused in enhanced output nuclear reactor fuel (MOX).