The fear on the High Rhine: Danger from Swiss nuclear waste storage facilities!

The fear on the High Rhine: Danger from Swiss nuclear waste storage facilities!

Switzerland's search for a suitable location for a deep geological repository in the High Rhine is causing a stir. The National Cooperative for the Storage of Radioactive Waste (NAGRA) has selected the Nördlich Lägern site, just eight kilometers from Waldshut. This repository will store radioactive waste that needs to be stored safely for a million years in tunnels 800 to 900 meters deep. The decision was made as part of a comprehensive procedure designed to ensure that people and the environment are not endangered Baden newspaper reported.

The location was chosen because of its geological characteristics, which ensure long-term and safe closure of the waste. NAGRA has carried out extensive investigations in recent years to assess the geological conditions and determine the most suitable variants. The construction project is of enormous importance for the region as it raises concerns about possible radioactive radiation and its impact on residents in the Hohentengen community in the Waldshut district. Residents are concerned about the safety risks posed by the storage facilities and required transportation, and fear groundwater could be contaminated, according to reports NAGRA.

Planned steps and regional concerns

The process for approving the deep repository will last until 2027. The general license application comprises an extensive document of 30,000 pages and is reviewed by both Swiss and German authorities. Experts estimate that the warehouse will not be put into operation until 2050 at the earliest. Critics, including residents and politicians, are pushing for their concerns to be properly addressed. In particular, the mayor of Hohentengen and other residents are demanding that all security aspects be comprehensively clarified in order to ensure a feeling of security.

The German district of Waldshut is taking a close look at the developments. In particular, the possibility of negotiating compensation for affected citizens is increasingly being discussed. Baden-Württemberg's Environment Minister Thekla Walker emphasizes that the safety of the population must come first and that the question of nationality should not play a role in any compensation. This is seen as an important step to ensure the protection of residents in the border area.