Near-surface storage considered in French nuclear waste debate

Paris (Platts)--11Jan2006

"Perpetual sub-surface storage" has emerged as an alternative to deep geologic
disposal of high-level and long-lived nuclear (HAVL) waste, the chairman of
the commission conducting a public debate on French waste policy said
yesterday. Georges Mercadal spoke to journalists in Lyon, where the Special
Commission on Public Debate (CPDP) conducting the waste debate is to hold its
final public meeting this Friday. Mercadal said that participants in the
nationwide debate since Sept. 12 had indicated that keeping HAVL waste close
to the surface in engineered concrete storage cells creates less anxiety
because the waste packages can be monitored and repaired, if necessary. The
storage facility would be renewed "every 200 or 300 years," Mercadal said.
Friday's meeting will be followed by an official report to the government by
the CPDP before the month's end.

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