The European Commission proposed Wednesday new rules that would push European Union countries to build storage for nuclear waste hundreds of meters underground, in an effort to increase safety in a highly controversial technology.
The European Commission proposed Wednesday new rules that would push European Union countries to build storage for nuclear waste hundreds of meters underground, in an effort to increase safety in a highly controversial technology.

Countries "are asked to present national programs, indicating when, where and how they will construct and manage final repositories aimed at guaranteeing the highest safety standards," the commission, the EU's executive body, said in a statement.

"Geological disposal is the safest option," the commission said. "Radioactive waste can be stored forever there."

European nuclear industry lobby Foratom welcomed the commission's initiative, confirming that deep geological repositories are the best way to handle the waste. On the other hand, environmentalist groups were sharply critical of the proposal.

"On the crucial question of nuclear waste definitions the proposals are far too loose, giving member states a free hand to determine what can be considered as nuclear waste and allowing them to exclude a wide array of potentially dangerous materials," said Rebecca Harms, co-chair of the European Parliament's Green Party.

Although it won't have binding powers, the parliament will have to give its opinion on the new rules.

All EU countries have radioactive waste because civilian use of nuclear includes medical applications, research and agriculture. Fourteen countries use nuclear energy to produce electricity, with some, including Belgium and Germany , having recently decided to lengthen the lifespan of some reactors. Poland and Italy are considering whether to build new reactors.

Highly radioactive waste is stored either near the nuclear reactors or in a national centralized facility.

Finland , Sweden and France are currently planning deep geological storage, with the first Finnish site expected to be operational by 2020.

The existing storage facilities aren't fit for use for more than 100 years, because they require constant maintenance and supervision. On the other hand, radioactive material decays after a million years, the commission explained.

Therefore, deep geological storage is the best way to make sure such material is safely stored for the long-term. Countries will have to show that these repositories are safe even without active maintenance.

The commission isn't proposing a deadline for building deep underground storage, nor specific technical requirements. However, EU countries will have to prepare plans by 2015, said Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger, presenting his proposal during a press conference. He also said geological storage is usually considered 'deep underground' below 300 meters.

According to the proposed rules--which will have to be approved by a large majority of the 27 country representatives before becoming enforceable--national governments will have to notify the commission about their plans, and the commission will be able to request a revision. The plans will also have to give a cost assessment, and show the government has the money when it needs to invest it.

The commission's proposed rules would forbid exporting radioactive waste outside the EU for its disposal, while at the same time allowing EU countries to share storage.

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