Hunterston secure waste
Published 17 Feb 2011 09:30
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Dear Sir/Madam,
There have been a number of interesting articles written in the press over the last few months regarding the Graphite Pathfinder Project at Hunterston A Site and as part of the project team, I write to express my view.
The Project is examining the feasibility of disposing of Hunterston A waste in a secure and highly engineered near site, near surface facility. The waste is currently stored in temporary bunkers on Hunterston A Site awaiting a final solution. As the Health Physicist within the Graphite Pathfinder Project, my role is to ensure that this project complies with Radiation Safety and Environmental Safety legislation.
Being at the radiological 'heart' of this project, I must determine if the standards meet with the legislation. My family lives close to the Site in West Kilbride and my children attend the local primary school therefore if I had any doubt that this wasn't a safe thing to do, legally and morally I could not support it.
The Government is understandably purse tightening in the current financial climate however if this concept proves to be feasible it could represent huge savings for tax payers if other nuclear sites apply the same concept for waste disposal at their own sites. This could mean more money available for schools, hospitals and work initiatives. I am proud that Hunterston A is examining a concept which, if feasible, would see North Ayrshire leading the way in the management of radioactive waste.
David Bremner
Health Physicist
Hunterston A Site
Magnox Ltd
For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.
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