Nuclear waste plans under scrutiny

The public will have a say on Wylfa's future

The Environment Agency is due to hold the first of two public meetings to hear people's views on the level of discharges from the Wylfa Nuclear Power station on Anglesey.

Magnox BNFL, which owns the plant, is having to re-apply for a licence governing the level of radioactive emissions from the site.

Trawsfynydd: Licence needed

The agency is letting local people and protest groups have their say before the levels are set.

The company also has to apply for a licence for Trawsfynydd in Gwynedd.

The wide-ranging consultation will subject BNFL's applications to wider national and local scrutiny, said the agency.

Following the transfer of Magnox Electric to BNFL in January 1998, BNFL is planning to integrate the two companies further by taking over the operations and staff of the Magnox power stations.

But - under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 - before BNFL can operate the sites itself, it must apply to the Environment Agency for new authorisations to dispose of the radioactive waste produced.

Closure calls

BNFL needs new authorisations before it can operate or decommission the Magnox sites.

It also needs permission to discharge radioactive waste, incinerate low level waste and to transfer waste to other sites.

But whatever the outcome of the meetings, environmentalists have said they want to see Wylfa closed

The public meeting about Wylfa will be held in Llangefni town hall on Monday.

A further meeting will be held in the Trawsfynydd area on Thursday.