Public Acceptance:

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Public Acceptance A Wake-up Call from
the People of Europe Dr. Peter Haug, Secretary
General, European Atomic Forum (FORATOM) WNA
Annual Symposium Friday 6 September 2002
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Eurobarometer Opinion Poll

• EU-wide survey for European Commission on
  radwaste and nuclear energy
• New findings - both pleasant and unpleasant for
  the nuclear industry
• Lessons to be learned by the industry
• Need to review and refocus communication
  strategies

WNA Annual Symposium 2002
Friday 6 September 2002
Dr. Peter Haug, FORATOM
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WNA Annual Symposium 2002
Friday 6 September 2002
Dr. Peter Haug, FORATOM
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WNA Annual Symposium 2002
Friday 6 September 2002
Dr. Peter Haug, FORATOM
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Wake-up Call
Lack of awareness lack of trust
perceived lack of openness
all adding up to... a major cause of concern
for the nuclear sector and its communications
specialists. (This may be a world-wide problem).
WNA Annual Symposium 2002
Friday 6 September 2002
Dr. Peter Haug, FORATOM
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Positive aspects

• Nuclear power option should remain,
• provided all waste is managed safely.
• Present generation has responsibility for dealing
  with the waste.
• Each country should develop its own disposal site.

WNA Annual Symposium 2002
Friday 6 September 2002
Dr. Peter Haug, FORATOM
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Negative aspects

• Lack of awareness of existing radwaste management
  programmes
• Limited knowledge that nuclear is practically
  CO2-free
• Major differences in perceptions from one EU
  state to another

WNA Annual Symposium 2002
Friday 6 September 2002
Dr. Peter Haug, FORATOM
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Key facts

• All categories of waste are safely managed.
• Final deep disposal is now a priority.
• Technology and funding mechanisms are already in
  place.
• Political will is now needed to make further
  progress.

WNA Annual Symposium 2002
Friday 6 September 2002
Dr. Peter Haug, FORATOM
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Who should convey these facts?

• Nuclear industry
• National radwaste agencies
• European Commission
• Government departments

Maybe you too have a role to play !
WNA Annual Symposium 2002
Friday 6 September 2002
Dr. Peter Haug, FORATOM
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Solutions

• Learning from countries that have a record of
  success - like Finland and Sweden
• Sharing experience and exchanging new ideas
• Opportunity next ENS PIME conference
• 2-5 February 2003 in Malta
• Increased investment money well spent
• Emphasis on third-party advocates

WNA Annual Symposium 2002
Friday 6 September 2002
Dr. Peter Haug, FORATOM
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WNA Annual Symposium 2002
Friday 6 September 2002
Dr. Peter Haug, FORATOM
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Call for action

• Determined action is essential.
• Stepping up communications will benefit society
  in general.
• A balanced, rational approach is needed - not
  pro-nuclear propaganda.

WNA Annual Symposium 2002
Friday 6 September 2002
Dr. Peter Haug, FORATOM
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Conclusions

• Nuclear revival will not come about unless people
  are adequately informed about radwaste.
• Resolution of waste issue is an essential basis
  for such a revival.
• Plans for permanent waste solutions will have to
  be clearly visible.

WNA Annual Symposium 2002
Friday 6 September 2002
Dr. Peter Haug, FORATOM
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Plan for Action

• New initiative to be proposed to meeting of
  European Nuclear Council, duringENC 2002 (6-11
  October) in Lille
• Communications element should be included in new
  EU waste Directive.
• Awareness problem threatens nuclears future
  development
• This is a time for action - not just words.

WNA Annual Symposium 2002
Friday 6 September 2002
Dr. Peter Haug, FORATOM