Australia: host for a nuclear waste storage site?

Abstract

With nuclear energy production certain to increase worldwide in the coming decades, long-term nuclear waste storage and disposal must finally become a reality. Expansion in nuclear energy offers the potential to limit global carbon dioxide emissions in the coming decades of expected growth in demand and supply of electricity worldwide. Australia stands to continue to profit from its role as a major supplier of uranium to the world's nuclear industry. Australia is regarded as a preferred country from a range of perspectives. It is argued that Australia should give serious consideration to hosting an international depository. This paper describes the issues of high level waste management and how they relate to a possible facility in Australia.