Consultation on the environment agencies ‘Disposal facilities for solid radioactive waste: guidance on the requirements for authorisation’ (GRA).

Overview

This consultation is about the environment agencies ‘Disposal facilities for solid radioactive waste: guidance on the requirements for authorisation’ (GRA). We are seeking your views on this joint guidance which will replace two existing GRAs – one for near-surface disposal facilities and one for geological disposal facilities (GDFs). 

This consultation does not relate to a specific site. It is not about the need for nuclear power or the siting of waste disposal facilities or nuclear power stations.

Geographical scope

England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Environment Agency are managing this consultation on the GRA on behalf of Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

A similar but separate GRA document only covering near-surface disposal facilities is being consulted on by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) for Scotland.

Audience

This consultation is aimed at:

• users of the guidance.
• members of the public.
• nuclear sites and other radioactive waste producing industries.
• academics with an interest in radioactive waste, nuclear power, energy production or the environment.
• non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
• communities who live near nuclear sites or nuclear waste sites.
• South Copeland, Mid Copeland and Theddlethorpe GDF Community. Partnerships and communities in those areas in England.

Comments from any other interested parties are also welcome.

Duration

The consultation is open until February 28, 2025.