Chapter 18 - Policy and Regulatory Aspects of Waste Management

Abstract

This chapter discusses the policy and regulatory issues associated with the operational and environmental management of nuclear waste in the UK. The decommissioning activities, storage, and processing of nuclear waste on UK nuclear licensed sites is regulated by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (as amended). Liability and compensation for nuclear damage is covered under this Act up to a current limit of £140M for 10 years after the incident. The role of the Environmental Agencies in the UK is the prevention of pollution and protection of the environment. The Environment Agency (EA) covers England and Wales, and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) covers Scotland for redundant nuclear facility decommissioning, waste management, and site environmental remediation. The agencies have duties and powers to enforce environmental laws and regulations to protect the environment. The Environment Agencies are, therefore, responsible for granting air, sea, and land discharge authorizations, and these are designed to ensure minimal risk to the public and to ensure that any discharges must be reduced in accordance with the principles of As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).