.comThis page last updated
Thursday, July 21, 2005
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You can download CORWM's consultation document and/or reply online by
visiting here. See example letter below. If you have any friends or relatives living in the UK please direct them to this page so that they can also participate in this nuclear waste consultation. If you are Irish living in the UK please begin your email "I am replying as an Irish person living in the UK." |
React -- Cyberaction 1: Nuclear Waste disposal in the UK Monday 27th June: This Cyberaction has now finished. Background The UK's Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) is holding a consultation on the options for managing the UK radioactive wastes for which there is currently no agreed long-term solution. This is mainly high and intermediate level waste. CoRWM is an independent committee appointed by the UK Government and is due to make its recommendations to the Government in 2006. The consultation runs until 27 June 2005 and is open to all individuals and organisations including from Ireland (this was confirmed in an email to no2nukes.com's John Bowler on Monday 6th June 2005). Solving the waste problem begins with halting waste production Members of the Committee have so far assessed 15 options against nine criteria, including risk to human health, the environment and the security of the waste. There are now four options on the short-list, only one of which no2nukes.com believes is acceptable: that the waste be stored securely above ground, at the site at which it was created, where it can be constantly monitored and easily retrieved. The British Government must also make a firm commitment to end the UK nuclear power and weapons programmes to ensure that the mountain of waste stops growing. Radioactive waste can harm people and the environment. Nuclear waste remains dangerous for thousands of years and some waste will remain lethal for millions of years. High levels of radioactivity will kill, while lower levels can lead to cancer and birth defects. There are around 470,000 cubic metres of radioactive wastes in the UK for which there is currently no long term solution. This amount will increase as nuclear power stations reach the end of their lives and are decommissioned. It is also vital that no new reactors are built. Make your voice heard We need your help to make sure the right decisions are taken regarding nuclear waste and that the UK takes action to stop more radioactive waste being produced. A template letter is provided below but please edit it as you wish. A copy of your response will also be sent to no2nukes.com in order to keep track of comments initiated through this site. PLEASE NOTE that the deadline for responses is Monday 27 June 2005 Also note that it is part of a policy of openness and transparency that written responses to a consultation can be made available to anyone who asks, unless respondents have requested confidentiality. If you require confidentiality please say so in your email. Also, if you do not wish your details to be kept on CoRWM's database so that they can send you further information about opportunities to comment and participate, please say so in your email. Example letter -- (Note that Your response will carry much more weight if you are able to add a few words of your own.)
I am replying from Ireland and wish my response to be treated as such. I am writing in response to CoRWM's consultation on options for managing UK radioactive wastes. My comments are in the context of my view that the UK Government must make a firm commitment to halting its nuclear power programme in the future to ensure that the UK's current waste stocks do not grow. (Question 4.2) It is vital that long term environmental considerations are given the highest priority in making the decision about managing radioactive waste. I believe that the best option is to store radioactive waste above ground, on the site at which it has been produced. (Questions 1.3, 2.6) The waste should be monitored and easily retrievable and there should be no dispersal or dilution. All other options should be screened out. (Question 1.1) Yours sincerely (Please include your name and postal address in your email.) Please today. |