In the May District of the Pavlodar Region, a branch of the "Institute of Atomic Energy" discussed the intention to build a storage facility for nuclear waste. The main topic of the public hearings was the assessment of the project's impact on the environment.
The designated area for the facility is 72 square meters of the technical zone of the "Baikal-1" research reactor complex, under the supervision of the National Nuclear Center. The nearest settlement is the village of Akzhar, located 80 km away from the planned site. Despite assurances of safety from the project developers, they must present all data and gain public support.
The Chief Engineer of the National Nuclear Center explained the necessity of the project, stating that the extracted fuel rods need to be safely stored. Currently, they are in an interim storage facility, with cells designed to be empty in case of emergencies. Due to geopolitical complexities, an alternative storage method involving concrete shafts on-site was devised, with a storage duration of up to 50 years.
The center assured residents and environmental organizations that the process is safe, and in case removal is not possible, the fuel can be processed in the future. They have developed a technology to transform the fuel into radioactive waste, currently undergoing testing by their scientists.
However, concerns were raised by residents and environmental groups regarding the lack of information on post-activity cessation measures in the project report. They emphasized the importance of clarity, especially considering existing historical mercury pollution in the Pavlodar region.
Residents of Akzhar requested guarantees that no hazardous substances from other facilities would be brought to the storage site. Others questioned the reliability of the containers in case of emergencies.
All comments, wishes, and questions raised must be addressed by the organizers and incorporated into the documentation. Therefore, public hearings will be organized again to ensure transparency and address community concerns.
The May District is home to part of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, where only 116 air and ground tests have been conducted on the "Experimental Field" site.
