New location for nuclear waste: Federal Government under pressure!

New location for nuclear waste: Federal Government under pressure!

Salzgitter, Deutschland - What is happening in the area of ​​nuclear waste disposal? A burning question that not only beats in politics, but also among the citizens: inside. On June 27, 2025, the Federal Government officially clarified that an additional location for radioactive waste is urgently needed. This is part of the national disposal program (NAPRO) 2025, which must be updated every ten years according to the requirements of the EU. According to Topbuzz Times there is not only an indefinite place for highly radioactive waste, but also the Salzgitter location.

The need for a new final bearing location is particularly urgent, since the forecasts of the NAPRO project provide for the storage of up to 660,000 cubic meters of weak and medium-radioactive waste and about 2,000 castors with highly radioactive waste. For the existing Konrad repository, the storage of around 300,000 cubic meters of waste is sought, but it remains uncertain whether this is actually feasible. In addition, there is already a warehouse in Wolfenbüttel for waste from the ass II mine, the volume of which is estimated to be up to 220,000 cubic meters.

The citizens: on the inside are required

The Federal Environment Ministry pays special attention to citizen participation. The public is invited to give feedback until August 5, 2025 to update the NaPro. This participation is important, especially since environmental associations such as the federal government and NABU also critically comment on the previous plans and question the approval decision from 2002. They complain that the NAPRO project does not adequately address the real challenges when dealing with the nuclear heritage.

Another aspect of the NAPRO is the implementation of a strategic environmental examination (SUP), which is required in accordance with the law on the environmental impact assessment (RRPG) and is to take place in spring 2025. These steps were initiated in an extensive exchange with various interest groups, including environmental associations. The first draft for the SUP was already transmitted to various institutions and associations in September 2024, such as Atomallreport informed.

criticism of the planning

Despite the progressive planning, there are some critical voices. Some critics complain that the SUP only uses the "zero variant"-so no implementation of the NaPro-as a benchmark and disregard important alternatives. This could mean that long -term responsibility for the storage of nuclear waste is not sufficiently assessed. The existing licenses for storage, for example in the fuel element factory in Lingen, also remain a sensitive topic, since the operation will continue despite the nuclear phase -out.