Court allows chlorine instruction: Environmental alarm in Wilhelmshaven!

Court allows chlorine instruction: Environmental alarm in Wilhelmshaven!

An important judgment for the LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven: The Federal Administrative Court has decided that the pollutant chlorine introduction is legitimate by the terminal ship "Högh Esperanza". This decision was made on December 19, 2024 and brings the German Environmental Aid (DUH) to the barricades that vehemently fights against the use of the toxic biocide. Environmental aid has already filed a lawsuit to contest the approval for the use of chlorine, but the court found that the procedure corresponds to the state of the art with the electrochloration process. However, environmental experts warn of the potentially catastrophic consequences for the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wadden Sea, since the genetically modified sea water is reintroduced after use.

risks for the environment

The DUH is sobered about the judgment and criticizes the decisions as a devastating sign that undermines the defense of the environment. Sascha Müller-Kraenner, the federal manager of the DUH, accuses the operator, the Jade and the Wadden Sea as a "garbage dump". The Bundestag's budget committee had already called for the quick retrofitting of the terminal ship to enable more environmentally friendly options such as the use of ultrasound instead of chlorine. Despite these requirements, the responsible Lower Saxony state company remains inactive and continues to allow the chlorine introduction, which further increases the worries regarding environmental protection measures. Müller-Kraenner asks the state government to finally become active and to take political responsibility in order to stop the stress of the environment.

The approval for the LNG terminal and the associated chlorine instruction was granted in the context of the gas supply crisis as a result of the Russian attack on Ukraine. The terminal plays a crucial role in German energy supply because it enables the import of liquefied natural gas. Despite the critical situation, the termination of the terminal is scheduled for the first months of 2025. However, the persistent concerns regarding the environmental impacts increase the pressure on the authorities to ensure that the necessary conversions are made in the near future.

For more information and details about the debate about the LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven and the concerns of environmental aid, see the reporting on nwzonline.de and presseportal.de .