A new UK government White Paper (a discussion document setting out legislative plans) 'Managing the nuclear legacy' outlines an action strategy that includes the creation of a new body, the Liabilities Management Authority, to ensure that the clean up of decommissioned nuclear plant and radioactive waste is carried out 'safely, securely and cost effectively and with due environmental care'. The move also involves a re-organisation of state-owned British Nuclear Fuels Ltd which manages Sellafield re-processing plant and the ten Magnox stations, five of which are still operational.
Some of the UK's current fleet of nukes will reach the end of their planned life during the next few years, adding to the existing burden produced by the 11 stations currently in decommissioning. The clean up operation is expected to cost £1 billion a year initially, totalling £48 billion ultimately. That bill will be met by central government.
The LMA will be a statutory body acting for the government, taking over sites from BNFL and British Energy and managing their nuclear liabilities. Some of these, such as the Sellafield re-processing plant, are still in business, and the LMA will be expected to oversee an efficient operation. In the period before LMA is legally set up, a new body, the Liabilities Management Unit of the trade and industry Department, will prepare the ground by working with nuclear regulators and the power station owners. The ministry has been at pains to emphasise that there is no connection between the new body and any plans connected to keeping open the nuclear option.
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