As shown by the Lithuanian and German experience, the informational vacuum and social stress accompanying the NPP decommissioning can destabilize life near the hazardous nuclear facility. This results in disturbing rumors, social tension, distrust to the authorities of all levels and to the nuclear industry in general.
Negative social consequences can be eliminated by establishing the Regional Public Council, a consultative body for authorities, nuclear industry and for informing the general public.
The mission of the Council is to achieve the social, ecological and technological acceptability
of the decommissioning process; ensure its transparency and openness.
In Russia such a Council should include representatives of:

• Rosatom,
• Rostekhnadzor,
• Rosenergoatom (representatives of
• decommissioned NPP),
• regional authorities,
• municipal authorities,
• political parties represented in the regional legislative bodies, concerned NGOs,
• NPP trade unions.

Representatives of territories where RW and SNF are handled or stored.
The results of the Council activities should be published.
Work carried out by such a regional Council in the region of NPP Nord (Greifswald, Germany) has shown over many years its usefulness.
The budgeting for the Council activities should be provided by the regional government.
The work of the council members is not paid. Only expenditures on trips and accommodation
during the Council meetings should be covered.
The Council should have a right to initiate independent examinations of technological
decisions and assessment of possible socioeconomic consequences of these decisions.
Procedures for the Council activities in Russia can be developed on the basis of the Regulation for the Regional Public Council on the decommissioning of NPP Greifswald.