2008 Status Report on the use of research facilities to build public trust or acceptance of a radioactive waste repository

Today, radioactive waste in Belgium is held in interim storage at the surface awaiting a final solution. The construction of the underground research facility HADES in Mol shows that it is technologically feasible to construct a disposal facility in the Boom Clay. The scientific programmes of EIG EURIDICE continuously increase confidence in the Boom Clay as a natural barrier. The stepwise research and development programmes contribute to the decision-taking process on the long-term management of radioactive waste in Belgium. The feasibility of deep disposal as a final solution for high-level and long-lived waste is not purely a technical, scientific and economic issue. For disposal, factors of social, political and ethical nature are as important. In Belgium, no decision on either location or technical concept for deep disposal has yet been made. The present report focuses on the current and future PR activities of radioactive waste management in Belgium with the aid of the facilities of EIG EURIDICE (demonstration hall and underground research facility HADES) and of Isotopolis. In addition, the attitude survey concerning radioactive waste management at a European level is discussed.