Cumbria and especially Copeland are seen by the rest of the UK as being nuclear compliant. The truth is more complex and alternates between a deep resentment by much of the public and misplaced cocky pride by many local councillors regarding the nuclear industry’s grip on the area.
Cumbria is the only area in the UK seriously in the frame for a Geological Disposal Facility and despite the “nuclear compliance” it has said a big fat no to the plan to bury heat generating nuclear wastes deep underground, at least three times already.
Now, in order to smooth the way for a U Turn by the UK Government’s much hoped for ‘willing community,’ the rules have been changed Cumbria County Council is no longer and it is now only Cumberland Council that has the right of veto, Geological Dumping of Nuclear Wastes is now a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (which can overrule local objections in the “national interest”).
The area seriously being looked at is beneath the Irish Sea adjacent to the plan for the rejected undersea coal mine.
What comprises a “willing community” remains unspecified but there will be say Nuclear Waste Services a “test of public support” – also unspecified.
Reassured?
This video promoting the plan for Geological Disposal is supposed to reassure a “willing community” that they are in safe hands.
The video features Steve Reece, Site Evaluation Manager for Radioactive Waste Management ( a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority). Steve Reece has moved to Radioactive Waste Management from being the Head of Operations for the coal mine developers, West Cumbria Mining.
It was on Steve Reece’s watch in 2017 that the coal mine exploratory drilling rigs accidentally hit a methane gas pocket necessitating the call out of the Irish Coast Guard.
Lakes Against Nuclear Dump 