EDRAM participation at the 4th ENEF meeting

EDRAM was invited to the fourth plenary meeting of the European Nuclear Energy Forum (ENEF), which took place in Prague on 28 and 29 May 2009 (more details on the meeting can be found on http://ec.europa.eu/energy/nuclear/forum/meetings/2009_may_en.htm ).
Mr. Jean-Paul Minon, chair of EDRAM, participated in the panel discussion on nuclear safety, training & education, waste disposal and non proliferation.

He presented a paper on "the long-term management of high-level waste:

defining national strategies as a sound application of the precautionary principle".

The following EDRAM views were presented by Mr. Minon:

1. Because of their responsibility to future generations, and whatever  the future of nuclear energy, countries need to choose a long-term  management solution for their radioactive waste. This also allows more  accurate estimates to be made of the provisions necessary for  implementing the chosen solution.
2. Whatever the future developments of advanced fuel cycles and of  partitioning and transmutation, there will always be some radioactive  waste, in particular already existing waste, to be managed in the long  term. The characteristics of those wastes are such that surface  disposal for an indefinite period of time cannot be considered a  sustainable solution.
3. Waste plans or similar documents, based on a sound comparison of  alternative solutions, are an adequate basis to support a strategic  decision on the final destination of ultimate radioactive waste.