National geological screening
The National Geological Screening (NGS) took a further step forward in late June, writes Adler deWind.
The Independent Review Panel (IRP) held a meeting with Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) in public at the British Academy in London on 23 June. The IRP was set up by the Geological Society of London on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change to assess draft national geological screening guidance (NGS) developed by RWM.
The guidance will bring together existing national geological information relevant to the long-term safety of a geological disposal facility, and will be used in RWM’s early discussions with communities from 2017 onwards, when the formal engagement and siting process will begin. The draft guidance has been developed by RWM with the help of geological experts and other stakeholders, and was the subject of discussion during the IRP meeting.
RWM is currently updating the guidance, taking on board IRP comments. A revised draft guidance will be released for public consultation in September.
- To find out more about the consultation, see the October issue of Geoscientist, which will carry an in-depth feature article on NGS by Natalyn Ala (pictured).