Sellafield controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2013
Escalating decommissioning costs and delays
The Public Accounts Committee criticized the management of Sellafield after operating costs and projected lifetime cleanup costs rose substantially. The private management consortium subsequently apologized after estimates passed £70 billion.
2008
Government indemnity for private management consortium criticized
Reports disclosed that the government had granted a broad indemnity to the consortium managing Sellafield, including coverage related to accidents and leaks. The arrangement attracted criticism because it had been concluded before the parliamentary summer recess without prior parliamentary notification.
1957
Windscale fire
During a scheduled graphite-annealing operation, uranium fuel in Windscale Pile No. 1 caught fire. Radioactive material was released, restrictions were imposed on certain food products and the event was later rated Level 5 on the International Nuclear Event Scale. It remains the site's most prominent safety and reputational controversy.