The search for a disposal site: a task for society as a whole

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The whole of society is responsible for successfully searching for a disposal site in deep geological strata and therefore having a safe place to dispose of the extremely dangerous radioactive waste. “The search procedure has started. The results of the first phase of the search for a site are expected in 2020. However, the preparations for implementing the participation procedure are already being made,” says Wolfram König, President of the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BfE). “We still have an opportunity to calmly tackle the issue and clarify any unanswered questions about the procedure. As soon as specific locations are available, experience teaches us that facts alone will not dominate the debates,” König adds.

It is the BfE’s task to inform the general public about how the site selection procedure is progressing. The process envisages a number of committees to involve ordinary people in the selection procedure. Information provided at an early stage is a central principle for ensuring success. The BfE is monitoring the site selection procedure and organising public participation. Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung (BGE) mbH (the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal) has been commissioned to search for a disposal site.

In addition to a series of meetings for interested members of the general public, which have already taken place during the last few months, the BfE is seeking contact and an exchange of ideas with special target groups like representatives of local communities, towns and rural districts in its information work. Four dialogue meetings are planned this month – supported by the top local community associations. The BfE is not only presenting the procedure for selecting a site during these meetings, but BGE mbH is also explaining how its work in conducting the search is progressing. The meetings are also designed to gather and discuss expectations and suggestions made by participants from the individual regions.

“As soon as possible specific regions become the focus of attention, district assembly members and mayors will play a special role in the process,” König adds. “If the issue is relevant in their district or community, they’re usually the people that local citizens approach first. We want to create some awareness for a complex procedure and provide information at an early stage.”

In brief: how the search for a disposal site is progressing

The amended Site Selection Act became law in May 2017; it regulates the search for a disposal site for high-level radioactive waste. The German government has commissioned a company, Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung mbH (BGE or the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal), to conduct the specific search. The BGE is currently gathering and evaluating geological data from all over Germany in the first stage of its work. The search for a disposal site is still in its infancy and specific areas are not yet being discussed. The BGE, which is also taking part in the series of meetings for the local authority representatives, has announced that it will publish the initial results of its data enquiries and evaluation in 2020.