The repository search process in Germany

The Federal Company for Final Disposal (BGE) recently determined that 90 regions in Germany appear suitable from a geological point of view. This marks an important milestone in the multi-stage search process. This is to be open-ended, unbiased and transparent. 

The public is to be involved in all important phases so that the mistakes made at Gorleben are not repeated.

The topic of final disposal is highly emotive and controversial. Following the publication of the BGE interim report, political voices were quick to warn that certain regions, which are already severely affected by the lignite phase-out and structural change, were being targeted.

The search process involves unpleasant decisions and a fair compromise needs to be found. Whether this can be successful and whether protests and blockades can be avoided also depends on the design of the search process. This will only be accepted if participation takes place on an equal footing, the necessary information is prepared in a comprehensible manner and the uncertainties of the purely scientific analysis are pointed out transparently. The repository search process is thus exemplary of a new governance model that should contribute to fact-based, non-domination-based consensus-building in the appropriate handling of other major social issues (climate change, genetic engineering, vaccinations, etc.).

We want to enter into a discussion on this problem area. In the format of an online conference with a panel discussion, scientists, activists and politicians will have their say. There will also be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions to the experts.

Planned schedule:

18:30

Start and introduction: Final disposal as a wicked problem, Markus Will, HSZG

18:45

Lecture: Final disposal of highly radioactive waste in Germany - history and current status, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Bernd Delakowitz, HSZG

19:00

Lecture: Condition monitoring of transport and storage containers (e.g. CASTOR) in interim storage, Sebastian Reinicke, IPM/HSZG

19:15

Lecture: Never give up - Insights into the history of the abandonment of the final storage site in Gorleben, Kerstin Rudek, anti-nuclear activist, political scientist

19:30

Lecture: No storage is also no solution - Why progress so often comes from between the two. An intervention, Prof. Eckehard Binas, TRAWOS/HSZG

19:45

Panel discussion with the speakers and representatives from politics and answering questions from the audience

Dr. Stephan Meyer, CDU, Member of the Saxon State Parliament Dr. Jana Krauß, Bündnis90/Die Grünen

20:30

End