Russia Pushes Ahead With Plans For Radwaste Repository In Arctic Archipelago

1 Dec (NucNet): The regional assembly of the Arkhangelsk oblast along Russia’s northern coast has approved the start of preliminary work on establishing a near-surface repository for solid intermediate-level and solid long-living low-level radioactive waste in the region, Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom said in a statement. The decision will allow Russia’s nuclear waste management authority No Rao to start examining possible locations for the facility, which will hold contaminated equipment, clothing and medical equipment, the statement said, without giving details. One probable option is Yuzhny Island (South Island), part of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the arctic region off Russia’s northern coast, Rosatom said. There is an existing repository for low- and medium-level radioactive waste at Severodvinsk on the western outskirts of Arkhangelsk city. If a location is chosen for a new facility, No Rao will begin a consultation open to all stakeholders. Rosatom did not say in its statement why the new repository is needed.