A vote is to be held later on whether to go ahead with a search for a site to store high level nuclear waste.
Executive members of Cumbria County and one of either Allerdale or Copeland Borough Councils must agree if "Stage 4" of the process is to go ahead.
This would include detailed geological investigations and discussions over the social and economic implications.
Even if the ?12bn underground repository is approved, construction is not expected to begin before 2025.
Cumbria is the only area still considering such a facility.
Dungeness in Kent, which had initially shown interest, withdrew at the end of 2012 in the face of opposition from residents.
'Potential shadow'Currently, radioactive waste is stored above ground in various "long-term temporary" sites around the UK, mostly at Sellafield in Cumbria.
Unions representing workers in the nuclear industry have expressed support for studies to go ahead.
Garry Graham, deputy general secretary of Prospect, said: "Not only does the vote have vast implications for the economic wealth of West Cumbria, which relies so heavily on the nuclear industry for jobs and growth, it potentially casts a shadow over any nuclear renaissance in the UK."
However, the Lake District National Park Authority is concerned that an underground nuclear waste repository would impact negatively upon the tourist industry, which is currently worth an estimated ?2bn annually.
Cumbria County Council and Copeland Borough Council vote at 10:00 GMT, and Allerdale Borough Council at 15:00 GMT.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-21253673#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
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