Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology
Recommendations of the Contact Expert Group (CEG) on Highest Priority Tasks
The radioactive waste management situation in NW Russia requires strong and concerted action by the RF and international community. In 1997, the CEG’s International Expert Opinion submitted to the IAEA Board of Governors, identified the need to eliminate the consequences of past civilian and military activities, and to ensure the decommissioning of nuclear submarines, the safe transportation and storage of spent fuel and radioactive waste, and the remediation of the ecological situation in the region. At its 6th Meeting (April 1998), the CEG discussed and approved the highest priority actions required to accelerate this work.
The CEG noted that a number of important co-operative projects were in progress, and some practical work had already been undertaken. These projects, which are of the highest immediate priority are:
- Modernisation of facility for the treatment of liquid radioactive wastes at the repair yard RTP "Atomflot";
- Decommissioning of the floating service ship "Lepse";
- Construction and Commissioning of an interim storage for spent nuclear fuel at "Mayak";
- Creation of Metal-Concrete Casks for storage & transport of spent nuclear fuel deriving from nuclear submarines.
The CEG recommended that work on these projects should not only be continued, but accelerated. Work on the "Lepse" in particular had been delayed by issues related to nuclear liability and taxation.
The CEG identified a number of projects which they also considered to be of the highest priority, but which were only at the stage of assessment and/or study. The CEG strongly recommended a more active programme for the implementation of these projects which are as follows:
- Improvement of the environmental situation at Andreeva Bay. At the base of the Northern Fleet at Andreeva Bay there are stores for spent nuclear fuel, solid and liquid radioactive waste, holding these materials under less than ideal conditions. A significant level of work is required on the stabilisation of this situation and removal of the spent fuel. If international support is to become available, it will be necessary for international experts to have access to this site.
- Creation of a repository for radioactive wastes in the NW Region of Russia. A number of sites are being examined as a possible location for a repository. In particular Novaya Zemlya is being considered.
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Design and construction of a specialised facility for the defuelling of nuclear
submarines, withdrawn from service in the Northern Fleet.
This project is an essential technical link for the acceleration of defuelling these submarines.
The above list is far from exhaustive. There are many other urgent problems that will need to be addressed to reduce the threat to the environment.
The realisation of these projects, will demand significant resources, which can only be achieved by a consolidation and expansion of international efforts. In particular, a consolidated implementation mechanism for joint projects should be agreed and put into effect.