THE public are being encouraged to join online events to learn more about geological disposal of nuclear waste and what it could mean for Copeland.

Two online events are being held by the Copeland GDF Working Group and Radioactive Waste Management.

The Copeland GDF Working Group has three main tasks:

  • to begin to understand community issues, concerns and questions about geological disposal;
  • identifying a search area or areas within Copeland – including considering the area off the coast – for further consideration;
  • and to recruit initial members for a Community Partnership which could take that work forward.

The series of interactive webinars held by the groups will provide information on what a Geological Disposal Facility is and what is different about it this time around.

GDFs involve highly-engineered vaults and tunnels deep underground designed to protect people and the environment and keep the radioactive waste safe and secure while the radioactivity naturally decays to safe levels.

The search for a host community is a nationwide process, based on community consent, and includes detailed investigations to make sure there is a suitable site to construct a safe and secure GDF.

The public can submit questions about GDFs in advance and the organisations will provide an update on their search for a site to house the facility.

Working Group chair Mark Cullinan said: “We’re in the early stages of our conversations in Copeland and understanding people’s views now, as well as enabling people to access information, is very important to us.

“Please take part in these webinars to learn more about geological disposal and let us know your views and questions.

“Community consent is at the heart of the process and a GDF cannot be built unless there’s a suitable site and a willing community.”

Webinars will take place on March 23 at 12pm and 7pm for one hour and they are open to everyone.

Future virtual events include the geology and can also be guided by what further information the public would like to know.

For more information visit Working Group Copeland here or to register for the webinars click here.