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Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy

This briefing outlines the policy and strategy for managing radioactive waste in accordance with national objectives and international principles. It covers the establishment of a comprehensive governance framework, the role of the Minister in waste management, and the objectives of the policy. The briefing also discusses international policy principles, national policy principles, and the governance structures in place. It concludes with an overview of the proposed options for managing high-level waste and the future plans for the National Committee, Radioactive Waste Management Agency, and Radioactive Waste Management Fund.

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Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy

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  1. Briefing M&E Parliamentary Portfolio Committee: Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy

  2. Vision Statement • Safe Management of radioactive waste in accordance with National Objectives and International Principles. • Establishment of a Comprehensive radioactive waste Governance Framework

  3. Nuclear Energy Act • Authority over management of radioactive waste and storage of irradiated nuclear fuel vests in the Minister • Discarding and storage require written permission of the Minister • The Minister may make regulations prescribing the manner of management, storage and discarding of radioactive waste and irradiated nuclear fuel – In consultation with Ministers DWAF and DEAT.

  4. Objectives of the Policy and Strategy • Lasting Long-Term solution to radioactive waste • Safe Management • Adequate financial Provision for radioactive waste management • Institutional Framework

  5. International Policy Principles • Protection of Human Health • Protection of Environment • Protection beyond Borders • Protection of future Generations • No undue Burden on future Generations • Managed within National Legal Framework • Minimization of waste generation • Safety of Facilities

  6. National Policy Principles • Polluter Pays • Transparency • Sound decision making • Precautionary Principle • In principle no Import nor Export • Cooperative Governance • International Cooperation • Public participation • Capacity building and education

  7. Governance Structures • National Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (NCRWM) • National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (NRWMA) • Radioactive Waste Management Fund (RWMF)

  8. National Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (NCRWM) • Membership: DME, DEAT, DWAF, NNR, DoH-DRC • National coordination, review radwaste plans, recommendation to Minister, monitoring implementation of plans, etc • DME Strat Plan requires a functional committee by 2006/7 -Submission in drafting stage

  9. National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (NRWMA) • Operation of Vaalputs & any new disposal facilities; R&D; maintain data base; advise;etc • Policy requires a statute to establish Agency in 5 years - DME Strat Plan requires a completed draft by 2006/7 • Drafting of Bill has commenced and work is on schedule

  10. Radioactive Waste Management Fund • Polluter pays principle – generators will contribute to the fund – tax free • Purpose is to ensure provision for disposal, R&D, capacity building, etc • Managed by National Treasury and subject to Auditor-General’s examination • Policy requires statute to create Fund within 5y - DME Strat Plan requires draft by 2007/8

  11. Policy Pronouncements • Vaalputs continues to be used for Low and Intermediate Level Waste • In interim used nuclear fuel still stored on generator’s site • Three options proposed for further investigation for High Level Waste: • Above Ground Interim Storage (AGIS) • Deep Geological Disposal (DFD) • Reprocessing Conditioning and Recycling (RCR)

  12. Some Attributes of Above Ground Interim Storage • Waste can be stored offsite • Allows for time to develop new technologies • Can be easily monitored • Least cost option • Not a Permanent Solution in long term • May burden future generations if no financial provision is made

  13. Some attributes of Deep Geological Disposal • Most internationally pursued option • Challenges on choosing a Site • Uncertainty of very long term period • Two options for Used Fuel: direct geological disposal or reprocessing • Direct disposal: no recovery/recycling of reusable materials & no reduction of toxicity

  14. Some Attributes of Reprocessing Conditioning and Recycling • Recover re-usable Uranium and plutonium from spent fuel (~ 95%) • Bulk of toxicity is removed • Reduces waste volume considerably • Proliferation concerns in some countries • No Capacity in South Africa • Done overseas (France and the UK) • Can Cost the same as Deep Geological Disposal

  15. The black glass cylinder inside the stainless steel container represents the cumulated vitrified fission products after reprocessing of used fuel, corresponding to ~75000kWh of nuclear generated electricity, representing electricity use of an average French family over 20 years. The canister is placed in interim storage in France and then returned to its owner for final disposal

  16. Looking ahead • Formation of National Committee by March 2007 followed by capacity building • Submission of plans from generators 2007+ • Draft Bill on the Radioactive Waste Management Agency by March 2007 • Draft Bill on the Radioactive Waste Management Fund by March 2008 • Both Bills on PPC agenda on completion with public hearings

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