Italy's Commitment to Safe Radioactive Waste Management: A Comprehensive Review
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Italy's commitment to addressing the challenges of safely managing its radioactive waste has been reviewed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The review, part of the Integrated Review Service for Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management, identified areas for improvement and offered insights into Italy's approach to this critical issue.
The IAEA's ARTEMIS review team recently concluded a ten-day mission in Italy. The team, consisting of six experts from various countries and three IAEA staff members, engaged with Italian authorities, including the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (‘MASE’), the National Inspectorate for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ISIN), and the state-owned company responsible for decommissioning Italian nuclear plants and managing radioactive waste, SOGIN, among others.
Italy's responsibilities in radioactive waste management stem from the decommissioning of four nuclear power reactors and facilities, all of which were closed by 1990. Additionally, Italy manages radioactive waste from research reactors, laboratories, experimental facilities, as well as activities in medicine, industry, and other sectors. Temporary storage sites near decommissioned nuclear power reactors house this waste, but Italy has plans for a national repository that includes various storage facilities, and the search for a suitable site is ongoing.
The ARTEMIS review team noted that Italy is acutely aware of the challenges associated with managing the country's radioactive waste and is dedicated to addressing them. Paul McClelland, Director of Waste Management & Technical Support at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and the ARTEMIS team leader, expressed confidence in Italy's commitment.
The team's review identified areas for improvement, including obtaining formal approval for the national radioactive waste management program, developing a Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) program linked to the national program, and considering international experience in resource planning.
Concrete recommendations and suggestions emerged from the review:
- The government should approve the 2023 National Program, which includes geological disposal as the final destination for spent fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
- The government should ensure that the authorization process for the planned near-surface disposal facility mandates updates to the safety report.
- Measures should be taken to prevent time constraints from compromising safety during the preparation and review of the safety case and safety assessment for the national repository.
The ISIN should establish its Research and Development program to enhance its expertise in reviewing safety cases for activities in the National Program. The review also recognized Italy's comprehensive training and development programs for nuclear professionals as a commendable practice.
Mariano Cordone, Director of Nuclear Division at the Ministry of MASE, expressed Italy's commitment to addressing the recommendations and suggestions, which will contribute to strengthening capabilities and guiding further improvements.
Anna Clark, Head of the IAEA's Waste and Environmental Safety Section, commended Italy's dedication to safe radioactive waste management. She highlighted Italy's openness to peer review, enabling valuable discussions and knowledge sharing. The IAEA anticipates that the findings will support Italy in enhancing the safe and effective management of spent fuel and radioactive waste.
The final report from the review will be provided to the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security within two months.
In summary, Italy's efforts in safe radioactive waste management are under scrutiny, with areas for improvement identified by the IAEA's ARTEMIS review team. Italy's commitment to addressing these challenges is evident, and the review's recommendations aim to strengthen the nation's capabilities in this critical area.
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