|
answer text |
<p>The Environment Agency (EA) has been discussing with Magnox Ltd its intention to
treat intermediate level waste (ILW) at the Berkeley Site, and at Hinkley Point A,
by encapsulating it in concrete boxes. This is to make the waste safe for long term
storage, and enable its subsequent disposal.</p><p>The need to apply for increased
tritium limits arises from the heat generated during the encapsulation process driving
off some of the tritium within the waste. Magnox Ltd anticipates that this may increase
discharges of gaseous tritium above the low limit specified in Berkeley’s current
environmental permit. While Magnox plans to apply to the EA to change this limit,
the EA has not yet received any application from Magnox to increase the limit for
gaseous tritium for this purpose.</p><p>The EA will only change the permit limit if
it is satisfied that this is necessary and that people and the environment remain
properly protected.</p><p>The EA will continue to keep local stakeholders informed
of any developments with the Berkeley Site environmental permit, through the local
Stakeholder Group.</p>
|
|