The world's first permanent repository for nuclear fuel waste will open this year on Olkiluoto Island, Finland, but convincing people to live nearby remains a challenge.
Austyn Gaffney reports for Grist.
In short:
- The Onkalo repository, built 1,500 feet underground in Finland, will store spent nuclear fuel rods in copper and cast iron casks designed to last 100,000 years.
- The U.S. aims to triple its nuclear energy capacity by 2050 but lacks a long-term plan for nuclear waste, which is mostly stored in temporary facilities.
- Consent-based siting, which involves gaining community approval, is seen as essential for future waste storage projects in both the U.S. and Canada.
Key quote:
"The plan is that there will be no sign [of the facility]."
— Pasi Tuohimaa, communications manager for Posiva, the agency managing Finland’s nuclear waste
Why this matters:
Safely disposing of nuclear waste is crucial as nuclear power expands. Without effective long-term storage solutions, communities remain at risk, and the expansion of nuclear energy may face significant obstacles.
