Billions of pounds in transformative investment could flow into Copeland if it agrees to build a radioactive waste disposal facility.
That’s the word from the Copeland Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) working group this month highlighting the potential benefits of a GDF.
The group says this could include millions of pounds in community investment that will be triggered once a community partnership is formed, as well as significant additional investment, economic and employment opportunities for a community that will eventually host a GDF.
Councilor David Moore, Copeland Council Portfolio Owner for Nuclear Services and a member of the Copeland GDF Working Group, said:
“This is a great opportunity for the local community to make significant investments in the region. To begin with, a church could receive up to £ 1 million a year, and this could be done over a considerable period of time.
“One of the possibilities for this community is the establishment of a local grant committee that will spend these funds in the community with the support of Radioactive Waste Management (RWM).
“If you accept these community benefits, it does not mean that you accept a GDF. This funding is used to get people involved and involved in the process. If the community feels that it is not for them, they can always withdraw.
“Should RWM be asked to carry out invasive work such as digging wells during the course of the investigation, the Community funding will amount to up to £ 2.5 million per year.
“This process cannot go any further without first testing public support, for example through a referendum. I would say this is a significant opportunity. ”
Mike Brophy, Head of Social Impact of Radioactive Waste Management, said, “The commitment to this early funding came from a review of previous GDF discussions that ended in 2013.
“Throughout the process, people understood that the GDF would have brought massive benefits – but when the process ended none of those benefits could be realized. Now municipalities can use the investment funding before they commit to a GDF and get out of participation benefit from the GDF. ” process whatever the result may be.
“This time around, the communities will be at the center of the siting process for a GDF, and a facility will only be built where there is both a suitable site and a willing community.
“Many infrastructure projects create jobs, many of them highly qualified.
“What makes a GDF different is that the initial GDF construction phase lasts around 10 years and needs up to 2,000 employees at its peak. The entire construction and operation will take well over 100 years and the local people will support companies . ”
A video summarizing the benefits is now available on YouTube.
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