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To cope with worldwide "power shortage" and "global warming", our government chose nuclear power as one option of low-carbon energy. Properly resolving radioactive waste related issues become crucial to develop nuclear power smoothly.
To ensure the safety of radioactive waste facilities in operation and resolve radioactive waste problems, the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) has completed the Nuclear Materials and Radioactive Waste Management Act and 15 branch regulations, thus, the safety regulations have been fairly comprehensive. In order to follow the trend in nuclear power development, NSC will take revolutionary measures of radioactive waste management, to resolve radioactive waste problems thoroughly while building a firm foundation.
"Safety" and "waste minimization" have been the key emphases of NSC in its administration of radioactive waste. With strict regulation, a preliminary effect has been achieved in terms of the minimization of domestic radioactive waste and the assurance of nuclear safety. A remarkable achievement has been made in the minimization of low radioactive waste, for which a total of three domestic nuclear power stations only generated 259 drums of solidified waste in 2007, representing 2.2% of their highest generation of 12,258 drums in 1983. It illustrates our leading position in the world for the minimization achievement of radioactive waste. Because of natural decay of radionuclides, NSC found that even though the three nuclear power stations have continued to operate, the total activity of radionuclides contained in our nation-wide low-level radioactive waste shows a trend of decline. That is to say that even if the three stations continue to operate, the total generated activity of low-level radioactive waste goes down. It fully meets the priciple of "sustainable development", which is worthy of our recognition.
Even though there were significant results in the aspects of "safety" and "waste minimization", given the change of political and social situations, environmental protection has been highly considered and the public have never ceased their concerns about radioactive waste. Many crucial construction projects associated with nuclear development have therefore been rejected or stalled, which resulted in critical situations in implementing normal management of our radioactive waste. Hence, it is imperative for us to take countermeasures and revolutionary actions. Under such circumstances, NSC has drawn up an advancement plan to give overall evolution and reformation in the following three dimensions: 1) building a sustainable development environment, 2) assuring the safety of radioactive waste management, and 3) regulatory operation. For building a sustainable development environment, focuses will be placed on the institution of comprehensive regulations of radioactive waste management and technology adaptation and application, and on the enhancement of the technical capability and professionalism of the radioactive waste management personnel, as well as on information transparency and public communication. In the aspect of assuring safe management of radioactive waste, we will focus on the improvement of functions and safety of processing facilities, and volume reduction as well as on the stabilization of radioactive waste in storage. As to regulatory operation, the focus is to reinforce the regulatory personnel's professionalism, and give thorough planning and preparation for regulating important development projects. With the advancement plan, the following quantitative results are expected: 1) continue to lower the routine generation of low-level radioactive waste, 2) continue to lower the storage of low-level radioactive waste and the activity of radionuclides in the continuous operation of existing nuclear power stations, so as to have sustainable development, 3) prevent human-caused injury incidents, 4) apply the qualification system to the regulatory and operation personnel across the board within two years, and 5) push the utility to accomplish volume reduction of radioactive waste and complete the planning for stabilization process within one year. In addition, the following qualitative effects are also anticipated: 1) elevate the quality of radioactive waste management across the board through planned educational training and experience pass-along, 2) enhance information transparency to have the public better understand the radioactive waste management and convince them of the safety, which will bring about smooth progress of important development projects.
The resolution of radioactive waste problems is the key to the development of nuclear power which is a low-carbon energy. Since it is closely associated with national welfare and people's livelihood, in addition to doing a good job as the competent authority to safeguard the safety of the radioactive waste, NSC will also push radioactive waste generators to pay more attention to public's opinions and make every effort to communicate with their neighborhoods. At the same time, NSC will support the government by providing recommendations and submitting comprehensive resolution plans in the hope of resolving the radioactive waste problems thoroughly and consummately in the end.
An Advancement Plan for the New Situation of Radioactive Waste Management--(20080714)
Last Update: May 14, 2020
To cope with worldwide "power shortage" and "global warming", our government chose nuclear power as one option of low-carbon energy. Properly resolving radioactive waste related issues become crucial to develop nuclear power smoothly.
To ensure the safety of radioactive waste facilities in operation and resolve radioactive waste problems, the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) has completed the Nuclear Materials and Radioactive Waste Management Act and 15 branch regulations, thus, the safety regulations have been fairly comprehensive. In order to follow the trend in nuclear power development, NSC will take revolutionary measures of radioactive waste management, to resolve radioactive waste problems thoroughly while building a firm foundation.
"Safety" and "waste minimization" have been the key emphases of NSC in its administration of radioactive waste. With strict regulation, a preliminary effect has been achieved in terms of the minimization of domestic radioactive waste and the assurance of nuclear safety. A remarkable achievement has been made in the minimization of low radioactive waste, for which a total of three domestic nuclear power stations only generated 259 drums of solidified waste in 2007, representing 2.2% of their highest generation of 12,258 drums in 1983. It illustrates our leading position in the world for the minimization achievement of radioactive waste. Because of natural decay of radionuclides, NSC found that even though the three nuclear power stations have continued to operate, the total activity of radionuclides contained in our nation-wide low-level radioactive waste shows a trend of decline. That is to say that even if the three stations continue to operate, the total generated activity of low-level radioactive waste goes down. It fully meets the priciple of "sustainable development", which is worthy of our recognition.
Even though there were significant results in the aspects of "safety" and "waste minimization", given the change of political and social situations, environmental protection has been highly considered and the public have never ceased their concerns about radioactive waste. Many crucial construction projects associated with nuclear development have therefore been rejected or stalled, which resulted in critical situations in implementing normal management of our radioactive waste. Hence, it is imperative for us to take countermeasures and revolutionary actions. Under such circumstances, NSC has drawn up an advancement plan to give overall evolution and reformation in the following three dimensions: 1) building a sustainable development environment, 2) assuring the safety of radioactive waste management, and 3) regulatory operation. For building a sustainable development environment, focuses will be placed on the institution of comprehensive regulations of radioactive waste management and technology adaptation and application, and on the enhancement of the technical capability and professionalism of the radioactive waste management personnel, as well as on information transparency and public communication. In the aspect of assuring safe management of radioactive waste, we will focus on the improvement of functions and safety of processing facilities, and volume reduction as well as on the stabilization of radioactive waste in storage. As to regulatory operation, the focus is to reinforce the regulatory personnel's professionalism, and give thorough planning and preparation for regulating important development projects. With the advancement plan, the following quantitative results are expected: 1) continue to lower the routine generation of low-level radioactive waste, 2) continue to lower the storage of low-level radioactive waste and the activity of radionuclides in the continuous operation of existing nuclear power stations, so as to have sustainable development, 3) prevent human-caused injury incidents, 4) apply the qualification system to the regulatory and operation personnel across the board within two years, and 5) push the utility to accomplish volume reduction of radioactive waste and complete the planning for stabilization process within one year. In addition, the following qualitative effects are also anticipated: 1) elevate the quality of radioactive waste management across the board through planned educational training and experience pass-along, 2) enhance information transparency to have the public better understand the radioactive waste management and convince them of the safety, which will bring about smooth progress of important development projects.
The resolution of radioactive waste problems is the key to the development of nuclear power which is a low-carbon energy. Since it is closely associated with national welfare and people's livelihood, in addition to doing a good job as the competent authority to safeguard the safety of the radioactive waste, NSC will also push radioactive waste generators to pay more attention to public's opinions and make every effort to communicate with their neighborhoods. At the same time, NSC will support the government by providing recommendations and submitting comprehensive resolution plans in the hope of resolving the radioactive waste problems thoroughly and consummately in the end.
