Australia lacks readiness for managing radioactive waste from AUKUS nuclear submarines
Australia's involvement in the AUKUS deal, which includes the acquisition of eight nuclear-powered submarines, has raised concerns about the management of high-level radioactive waste generated by these vessels.
The submarines, which use highly-enriched uranium as fuel, produce high-level waste that remains highly radioactive for millennia. This waste, roughly the size of a small hatchback, requires safe and secure storage to protect the environment and prevent potential theft and use as nuclear weapons.
Australia ensures environmental protection for this waste by following strict international nuclear safety and waste management standards. These include secure transportation, interim storage with multiple containment barriers, and planning for permanent disposal consistent with best practices used by other nuclear nations. However, detailed Australian public policies on this specific waste are still evolving as the submarine program advances.
It is important to note that the majority of waste from nuclear power facilities is low-level (LLW) or intermediate-level (ILW), and these submarines are no exception. LLW and ILW waste can be easily handled and stored, typically only requiring storage in special drums or boxes filled with cement, which can be safely stored above ground.
The responsibility for storage, security, and eventual disposal of waste from the AUKUS submarines lies solely with Australia, and it cannot export the waste. This is a significant challenge, as Australia currently has no facility for high-level nuclear waste.
Comparatively, Finland is the only country currently building a permanent deep-geological repository for high-level nuclear waste. It has taken Finland over 40 years to get this far in building a permanent deep-geological repository, highlighting the long-term commitment and planning required for such projects.
Critics argue that the AUKUS deal could be a backdoor way to expand nuclear capabilities in Australia, with potential environmental and geopolitical downsides that far outlast any benefit from the submarines. These concerns are not unfounded, as other nations, like the UK and the US, have not found a permanent solution for the storage of their existing and decommissioned nuclear-powered naval assets.
In conclusion, the management of high-level radioactive waste from the AUKUS nuclear submarines is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and long-term planning. Australia, as the responsible party, must address these challenges to ensure the safety and protection of its environment and citizens.
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