EU tightens nuke waste disposal rules
The European Union yesterday tightened rules on the disposal of radioactive waste with strict conditions on exporting it outside EU borders, but the move did not please environmentalists.
The new legislation requires EU governments to present by 2015 plans to dispose of waste produced by nuclear reactors as well as other sources including electricity production, medicine, research, industry and agriculture.
Governments will have to present a timetable for the construction of disposal facilities, which most states do not have today. Two or more countries can otherwise agree to use a single facility located in one of them.
Information on spent fuel and radioactive waste management must be made available to the public and local populations near the facilities must be allowed to participate in the decision-making process.
The export of radioactive waste is still authorised but under much stricter rules.
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