Belgium

ONDRAF-NIRAS
www.ondraf.be

updated: 12/09/2008 16:39

• LLW surface repository project : The  Site for the construction of the repository plant in Dessel was bought by ONDRAF/NIRAS on July 2008.
  The various actions in view of the start of the realization of the plant in 2012 are in progress.
  

• M&HLW deep repository Project:
  
  • PRACLAY gallery: preparations are still in progress to install the in situ heating experiment; start of experiment planned for late 2009.
  • Waste Plan: In order to comply with its legal obligations related to the long-term management of radioactive waste, ONDRAF/NIRAS is preparing its updated 'Waste management plan', the aim of which is to establish the basis for a structured societal dialogue at all levels and with all stakeholders all over the country in order to define the alternative or additional options for the long-term management of medium-, high-level and long-lived radioactive waste and to establish in collaboration with the various stakeholders involved decision processes taking into account the long-term safety and the future R&D programs in this field. A report 'as is' on the current radioactive waste management system and situation in Belgium will be presented by the end of 2008 and the necessary actions will be launched to involve the general public in the structured societal dialogue.
• Reprocessing:
  the dismantling of the former Eurochemic reprocessing plant has been completed; the conventional demolition of the plant was started on June 2008 and will be completed by 2011; in view of  financing  the nuclear liabilities related to historical waste owed by the Belgian state, Federal government has fixed the federal contribution for the next five years at 55M Euro/year.

Argillaceous formations

 2030

Canada

NWMO
www.nwmo.ca

updated: 19/09/2008 15:39

• In June 2007 Government of Canada selected the Adaptive Phased Management (APM) approach, which has a deep geologic repository as its end point
  
  
• Following public consultation, the NMWO has issued a 5-year Implementation Plan for APM
  
  
• In September 2008, the NMWO started a dialogue with Canadians on the development of a process to select a site for APM
  
  
• A draft siting plan is expected to be developed and issued for public discussion in 2009
  
  
• The initiation of the process to find an informed, willing host community may start in 2010
  
  
• NWMO will become the project manager for OPG's Deep Geologic Repository for l&ILW in Kincardine in January 2009

Crystalline or Sedimentary

2035

Finland

POSIVA
http://www.posiva.fi/

updated: 13/11/2008 12:45

• Posiva is in charge of construction and operation of a final repository for spent fuel from Olkiluoto and Loviisa NPPs
  
  
• Posiva's research, development and technical design activities aim at filing the construction license application for the repository by the end of 2012 with a further objective to start the final disposal in 2020
  
  
• At present Posiva is constructing an underground research facility, ONKALO, that facilitates further characterization of the bedrock at the final disposal depth of about 400 m; currently ONKALO has reached a depth of 210 m
• ONKALO is not intended solely for research premises but has also been designed to serve as an access route to the repository
  
  
• Posiva has a valid Decision in Principle for a final disposal facility accommodation the spent fuel from five NPPs, totaling 6500 tU
  
  
• In April 2008 Posiva filed an application for an expansion of the facility to 9000 tU with the aim to dispose of spent fuel from Olkiluoto 4 unit, which was applied by Teollisuuden Voima
  
  
• A further expansion to 12000 tU is planned for spent fuel from Loviisa 3 unit, which might be applied by Fortum in near future

For the latter expansion an Environmental Impact Assessment was finalised in October 2008, updating the EIA made in 1990s and addressing the impact of expansion

Crystalline

France

ANDRA
http://www.andra.fr
updated: 15/09/2008 15:10

• VLLW surface repository: operating on a routine basis, with now more than 100,000 m³ disposed of
  
  
• LILW surface repository:
  operating on a routine basis, with more than 210,000 m³ disposed of
  
  
• Low level long lived waste: launching of a siting process, call for volunteers having an interest for a repository on their territory; deadline for answers is end of October 2008
  
  
• HL waste project: a new set of experimental galleries is under construction; In the same time previous experiments are running in the underground research laboratory.
  The detailed investigation programme in the 250km² transposition zone is now completed, detailed analysis of the results will be available before end of 2008
  The Local Information Committee is now in place and has started its work.
  The Technological Center built in Saudron will be ready by the beginning of 2009. Demonstrators have been shown during the Euradwaste Conference.

Sedimentary clay formation

(Callovo-Oxfordian argillite, about 500 m depth)

2025

Germany

DBE
http://www.dbe.de

• Konrad repository project: As an important prerequisite for further work the "Master Operation License" according to mining law has been granted in January 2008. Preparatory work for the conversion of the Konrad mine into a repository showed significant progress. Current work focused on the refurbishment of the two shafts and the preparation of the infrastructure.
  
  
• Closure of the Morsleben repository: the preparation of the licensing documents has been completed. A decision in the plan-approval procedure is not expected for the next years.
  
  
• Gorleben exploration mine: the moratorium interrupting the further exploration still persists.
  
  
• Asse-research mine:
  responsibility passed from BMBF (Helmholtz-Gesellschaft) to BMU (BfS), decommissioning licensing procedure will be done pursuant to nuclear law.
  
  

Iron Ore
Formation,

Salt Formations

Japan

NUMO
http://www.numo.or.jp/english
updated:  12/12/2008 6:39

• Japanese regulation defines three-step site selection process.
  
  
• NUMO started open solicitation of volunteer municipalities in 2002.
  
  
• After the literature survey, NUMO will carry out Preliminary Investigation to select detailed investigation areas in around 2013,aiming the selection of repository site in around 2028.
  
  
• NUMO became an implementing body for geological disposal of TRU waste as of April 1^st, 2008
  
  
• To enhance a public relations campaign, workshops, round-table discussion and small forum with local experts and concerned groups have been actively implemented as a part of the interactive grass-roots activities, in cooperation with government and/or electricity companies.

Spain

ENRESA
http://www.enresa.es
updated: 13/11/2008 10:23

• VLLW, Surface repository at El Cabril: License was given in July 21^st 2008 for a final capacity of 130,000m³ (four cells). The first cell already constructed is in operation since October 1^st 2008. A VLLW treatment building was constructed almost adjacent to the disposal facility
  
  
• LILW, Surface repository at El Cabril: Operating on a routine basis. 16 out of 28 cells are already filled
  
  
• All together, LILW and VLLW capacities should be sufficient for the expected volume to be managed under 2006 General radioactive Waste Management Plan scenario (173,000m³)
  
  
• HLW: In 2006 the Spanish Government approved the 6^th General Radioactive Waste Plan.  The main strategic decision is to have a Centralised Temporary Storage Facility for SF/HLW by 2012.
  
  
• In order to decide a site under the premises of volunteerism of local communities, an Interministerial Committee was created. Its mission consist in Establishing the criteria (technical, environmental and socio-economic specifications) that must be met by the site, and, after local communities have declared their willingness,  Submission to the Government of a proposed list of candidate sites, based on the technical evaluations taking into account any proposals that may be put forward by the autonomous communities involved
  
  
• For the purpose of planning the preferred basic option is limited temporary storage followed by definitive disposal facility.
  
  
• In the next years ENRESA will report to the Spanish Ministry of Industry Tourism and Trade on:
  
  • Management options contemplating different alternatives, including a programme for the development of each of the options.
  • Feasibility of new technologies, in particular S + T
  • Basic Generic Project summarising the   knowledge acquired  in relation to definitive disposal

Sweden

SKB
www.skb.se
updated:  15/09/2008 16:25

• SKB is operating a system for the management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive wastes. The system contains the central interim storage facility for spent fuel (Clab), the final repository for radioactive operational waste (SFR) and the transportation system (sea-based on the ship Sigyn)
  
  
• The permit to take a second storage pool into operation at the Clab facility has been approved by the authorities during 2007.
  
  
• Site investigations for the final repository for spent nuclear fuel, at two sites, ended during 2007. Site selection is planned during 2009.
  
  
• The application for the final repository system (KBS-3) for spent nuclear fuel is planned to be submitted at the end of 2010.
  
  
• Planning has started to extend the SFR-facility to also include decommissioning waste.
  
  
• The RD&D programme 2007 has been reviewed by the authorities. A decision from the Government is expected before the end of 2008.

Crystalline

2020

Switzerland

NAGRA
http://www.nagra.ch
Updated: 19/03/2010

• Nagra has conducted a 30- year research program aimed at demonstrating the technical feasibility of geological disposal of HLW/SF. The demonstration project was approved by the Federal Government in June 2006.
• The Nuclear Energy Act (2003) assigns responsibility for defining and leading a stepwise site selection procedure to the Federal Government. Based on the Spatial Planning Law, siting has to be conducted in close cooperation with the cantonal governments and with public participation. In April 2008, the Federal Government approved the siting concept, which defines the siting criteria, the steps for implementation, the timeframe and the roles of the various stakeholders.
• As a first step, Nagra proposed on 17 October 2008 potential siting regions for the repositories for HLW and L/ILW, based on safety-oriented criteria defined by the regulator. All sites have clay-rich sediments as potential host rocks. The review by the Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) was published on 26 February, 2010 and confirmed all six proposals. The federal government?s decision on the siting regions, completing Stage 1 of the sectoral plan procedure, is expected in 2011, after extensive public consultation and upon recommendation of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. Preparatory work for Stage 2, which will lead to the selection of at least two sites for HLW and L/ILW, is ongoing.
• A Waste Disposal Programme describing the framework and the steps of implementation - as required by the Nuclear Energy Act - was handed over to the Government for approval on 17 October 2008 and is currently being reviewed by the federal authorities.

Clay

2040

United Kingdom

NDA
http://www.nda.gov.uk
Updated: 17/09/2008 18:04

• UK Government issued the White Paper "A Framework for Implementing Geological Disposal" in June 2008.
  
  
• It was accompanied by an invitation for communities to express an interest in participating in the siting process for a geological disposal facility
  
  
• NDA is responsible for implementation of geological disposal preceded by safe and secure interim storage
  
  
• NDA is consulting on the following documents with comments required by November 2008:
  
  • proposed R&D Strategy
  • PSE and Communications Strategy
  • Sustainability appraisal and environment assessment
  
  
• A proposed siting methodology has been published - this will be formally consulted on in 2009.

United States

U. S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM)
http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov
Updated: 2/10/2008 0:

• Major accomplishments
  
  • June 3, 2008 - OCRWM submitted the License Application (LA) to the NRC seeking authorization to construct a repository for SNF and HLW at Yucca Mountain, Nevada.
    
    
  • September 8, 2008 - NRC formally docketed the LA, with a determination that it was sufficiently complete to initiate a full technical review.
    
    
  • September 30, 2008 - EPA released its revised regulations for radiation standards for the proposed disposal facility at Yucca Mountain; NRC is expected to finalize its implementing regulations shortly.
    
    
• Other activities
  
  
  • March, 2008 - OCRWM filed an application for right-of-way and Surface Transportation Board certificate for construction and operation of a rail line in Nevada to Yucca Mountain
    
    
  • May, 2008 - OCRWM awarded contracts for the design, licensing and demonstration of the Transportation, Aging and Disposal (TAD) canister system.
    
    
  • June, 2008 - OCRWM informed nuclear utilities that it is prepared to discuss a revision to the Standard Contract; execution of disposal contracts is an essential step in the licensing of new nuclear plants.
    
    
  • June, 2008 - OCRWM issued Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) on the Geological Repository and Rail Alignment for Construction and Operation of a Railroad in Nevada.
    
    
  • July, 2008 - OCRWM issued two reports relating to the costs of research, construction and operation of the repository:  Analysis of the Total System Life Cycle Cost and Fee Adequacy Assessment.Upcoming activities·
    
    
• Upcoming activities
  
  
  • OCRWM is preparing two reports for the U.S. Congress:  Interim Storage of SNF from Decommissioned Reactors; and Second Repository.
    
    
• Significant challenge
  
  
  • If funding reforms are not enacted consistent with the Administration's legislative proposal, DOE will not be able to set a credible opening date for the repository.

Volcanic tuff

TBD - Pending resolution of funding issues