International collaboration on cleaning up nuclear sites

Leaders from the United States Department of Energy (DOE), the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and the French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (ANDRA) have issued a joint statement to affirm their commitment to continue their collaboration on the successful decommissioning and remediation of legacy nuclear sites and the safe management of their radioactive waste to ensure the protection of present and future generations and the environment in their respective countries.

The need for safe, sustainable, and economically viable site cleanup is common to many countries. International partnerships and the mutual exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and innovative technologies and approaches are critical to decisions to be taken and our collective successes.

The Parties say they are proud of their collaborative efforts over the past three decades and look forward to a continued positive and productive working relationship in the future.

"DOE, NDA and AECL would like to express their appreciation to France for the positive contributions they have made to the US, UK and Canadian cleanup efforts and, in particular information sharing on:

• deactivation and decontamination of legacy nuclear sites, decommissioning and dismantling of their facilities;
• nuclear sites remediation, including groundwater and soil;
• long-term waste management solutions, including waste characterization, treatment, immobilization, storage and final disposal;
• and information, education and training of students and young professionals to enhance their innovative capacities and develop their creativity, the statement read. 

"Further, DOE, NDA, AECL, CEA and ANDRA commemorate the importance of international forums like the Waste Management Symposia in promoting science, innovation, research, and international collaboration," it added. 

Through continued work and partnerships, all sides have enhanced collaboration and collective approaches to waste management which has benefited not only their cleanup programmes, but their communities and the environment with strong consideration to future generations.