Radioactive Waste: Waste Management
Energy and Climate Change
Tom Watson (West Bromwich East, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which local authorities have presented proposals to his Department for the siting of an underground repository for radioactive waste.
Charles Hendry (Minister of State (Renewable Energy), Energy and Climate Change; Wealden, Conservative)
In 2008, communities were invited to "express an interest" in entering discussions with Government about a siting process for a geological disposal facility for higher activity radioactive waste.
To date, three "expressions of interest" have been received (Copeland borough council, Cumbria county council and Allerdale borough council) for the areas of Copeland and Allerdale. The authorities are working together in partnership to consider whether to move to the next stage of the process and further information is available on the West Cumbria MRWS Partnership website at:
The option to express an interest remains open and DECC officials are available to answer questions or advise any community who wishes to seek further information.