Transparency and Public Participation in Radioactive Waste Management

Abstract

Selection of appropriate sites for disposal of radioactive waste, especially high level waste and spent nuclear fuel, is a controversial task, not only from technological but also from societal point of view. A key part of the nuclear facility development is public consultation before the siting, construction and operation of the new repository. All decisions on these issues should be made in clear and transparent manner. The involvement of the local community from the very beginning of planning process may avoid faults and misunderstandings resulting in social objections and organized protests in future. To enhance the public participation in decision-making process several approaches of communication with the society were elaborated in the countries with well-developed nuclear power industry. Special models for communicating with stakeholders to build the acceptance and confidence concerning the radioactive waste management may be also helpful for Poland – the country entering the nuclear energy pathway. An effort to adapt the RISCOM Process developed in Sweden and also implemented in Czech Republic, to Polish conditions will be made in the scope of the EC-FP 7 IPPA project.