Publication Laka-library:
The Arctic Nuclear Challenge
| Author | Bellona |
| Date | June 2001 |
| Classification | 2.34.4.10/06 (RUSSIA - WASTE / REPROCESSING GENERAL) |
| Front | 
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From the publication:
Preface This is the third Bellona report on potential sources of radioactive contamination of the Arctic. While the two former reports (1994 and 1996) mainly focused on identifying the sources, this report also present solutions to secure spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. In support of the ongoing efforts to safely secure this waste, this report describes various new projects proposed by Bellona in order to solve the problems of further radioactive contamination and the ensuing adverse health effects to the people living in the Arctic areas. Most of the nuclear safety challenges in the Arctic are related to the legacies of the cold war. The spent nuclear fuel storage sites in Andreyeva Bay and in Gremikha, the laid-up nuclear submarines and the large volume of radioactive waste at the bases and naval yards along the cost of the Kola Peninsula are the legacy left to our generation from the past decades. International co-operation in the work to secure nuclear waste generated during the arms race must replace the earlier mistrust that raged between the nations. Nuclear safety is not a task solely for officials, state agencies and private business. The civil society plays the most important role in providing public support and establishing the right priorities when projects are discussed and new solutions must be found. As a pragmatic non-governmental organisation, Bellona is searching for solutions to head off the problems of potential Arctic radioactive contamination. It is important to protest against the current radioactive contamination coming from the British reprocessing plant in Sellafield, but it is equally important to propose projects aimed at preventing future contamination coming from the retired nuclear submarines and rundown storage sites for spent nuclear fuel at the Kola Peninsula. Through our offices in Oslo, Murmansk, St Petersburg, and Washington, D.C., we have worked to establish contacts and mutual understanding between Russian, European and American authorities and corporations. Our offices in Brussels and Washington, D.C. have been working for years to establish a political understanding in the European Union and in the United States as to why it is important to maintain a strong international cooperation with Russia in nuclear safety projects. Today, the political willingness to assist in nuclear waste cleanup projects in Northwest Russia is greater than the ability to implement those projects. Bellona hopes that this report will assist in concretising this ability by carrying out projects such as a new intermediate storage for spent nuclear fuel at the Kola Peninsula. The contents of this report will be redesigned into a web-friendly version and will be updated continuously. The updates will track all of the developments and changes in the issues described in this report to provide comprehensive up-to-date information for decision-makers and the general public. Check www.bellona.org for updates. Bellona thanks the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other private corporations and foundations for their financial support to make this report.
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