1. What is the purpose of the UK Low Level Waste Strategy Group?
As stated in the draft LLW Strategy Group Terms of Reference, the mission and objectives are as follows:
Mission
The UK LLW Strategy Group shall serve as a collaborative and consultative forum to effectively integrate the UK LLW programme. The Strategy Group shall integrate LLW management at the independently-managed NDA sites to achieve and consult on recommendations for best business practices, economies of scale, standardisation, and the implementation of the entire waste hierarchy throughout the UK. A primary goal of the Strategy Group is to minimise site costs, optimise transportation logistics, and minimise waste volumes for disposal at the Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) and other facilities as applicable.
Objectives
1. Identify and assess opportunities for the effective handling of the UK’s LLW
2. Inform development of NDA’s strategy on LLW issues
3. Assess priorities for action in deployment of LLW strategies
4. Raise awareness and achieve a common level of understanding of LLW issues
2. What organisations comprise the UK LLW Strategy Group?
The leadership of the UK LLW Strategy Group includes the NDA Chair, Deputy Chair, and Strategy Group Secretary. The group membership is comprised of the LLW Repository Ltd's Head of National LLW Strategy, the NDA Site Programme manager for LLWR, NDA and SLC site/bundle representatives, Non-NDA LLW Consignor representatives, regulators, local government representatives, and National stakeholder representative(s). In addition to the formal membership, other participants and organisational representatives will be invited to attend meetings at the NDA Chair’s discretion.
3. What will be the deliverables or outputs?
The primary deliverables of significant importance affecting LLW that the UK LLW Strategy Group membership will be actively participating in the development, review, and/or approval are:
In addition, numerous plans and documents will be tasked to the UK LLW Strategy Groupmembership for review, comment, and distribution among appropriate site technical representatives and/or organisational staff. Actionable recommendations to the NDA, based on technical review and discussions, are key outputs from the UK LLW Strategy Group. In addition, UK LLW Strategy Group subcommittee actions and recommendations are also produced that will guide the overall organisation in providing recommendations and advice to the NDA for implementation of the LLW strategy.
4. What are the current plans for the Low Level Waste Repository?
The National strategy work currently being done under NDA’s leadership will determine options and the best plan for managing the UK’s low level waste and maximising the value of the Repository. LLW Repository Ltd will continue to provide capacity for the UK low level waste producers that have low level waste disposal authorisations and contracts. LLW Repository Ltd will also support NDA in the development of a plan for the optimum long-term use of the Low Level Waste Repository.
5. How often and where are formal UK LLW Strategy Group meetings held?
The National LLW Strategy Group Terms of Reference calls for meetings to be held at least twice per year. However, at the beginning, it is envisioned that National LLW Strategy Group meetings will be held more frequently while the LLW Strategy and Management Plan are in formulation and consultation. Meetings will be held at various venues throughout the UK and may be hosted at consignor site locations that may include facility tours to gain a direct and common understanding of LLW processes and issues.
6. Does the UK LLW Strategy Group only pertain to NDA nuclear sites?
The UK LLW Strategy Group will develop and establish a working partnership to integrate the UK LLW programme on a regional and national scale. It will strengthen this partnership between the NDA, LLW Repository Ltd, LLW Consignors, Regulators and others to support NDA’s obligations under the Energy Act and in line with Government’s LLW Policy 2007 as well as NDA’s approved strategy. This initiative will support ongoing nuclear operations and the nuclear site decommissioning and remediation programmes at NDA sites as well as the LLW disposal needs of non-NDA nuclear organisations.