Robust Radio active Waste Management: Decision Making in Complex Socio technical Systems
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2002-04
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Working Paper
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yes
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Abstract
Deregulation, with concurrent pressure on electricity utilities, has fundamentally changed the once-“closed” radioactive waste management system controlled by the so-called “nuclear establishment.” Advocacy coalitions may change–who knows in which direction–but policy-learning may also take place. This article presents a framework to evaluate the man agement options for a specified concept of “sustainability.” When weighing the different objec tives in view of the long-lasting potential danger of radiotoxic substances, the overall goal of a sound waste management is to demonstrate safety. The first-priority objective of a disposal system, therefore, is its stability, so that it can comply with the protection goal, that is, the
long-term protection of humans and the environment from ionizing radiation. The comple mentary objective is flexibility, defined here as intervention potential. Because trade-offs within the “sustainability triangle” of ecology, economy, and society are unavoidable, the con cept of “integral robustness”–technical and societal–is introduced into radioactive waste man agement. A system is robust if it is not sensitive to significant parameter changes. In the pre sent case, it has to have a conservative, passively stable design with built-in control and inter vention mechanisms. With regard to technical implementation, a concept called “monitored long-term geological disposal” is presented. Such an “extended” final disposal concept empha sizes technical robustness, recognizes evaluation demands (for a potential break-off of a pro ject), and enhances process-based transparency. This open approach admittedly sets high challenges with regard to technicalities as well as the institutional setting and the manage ment process. It requires “mutual learning” by and from all stakeholders to achieve a truly sus tainable radioactive waste management.
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31
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ETH Zürich, Umweltnatur- und Umweltsozialwissenschaften
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03400 - Scholz, Roland W. (ehemalig)