The National Cooperative Society for the Storage of Radioactive Waste (Nagra) submits this Tuesday its request for general authorization for the disposal of nuclear waste in deep geological layers. This project, which consists of digging a deposit under the Zurich municipality of Stadel from 2045, must still be validated by parliament and the Federal Council. While a committee of opponents calls for the convening of a popular vote on this subject, Nagra director Matthias Braun asserts in an interview with the NZZ be in favor of it. With legitimization by the people, this procedure could be faster, he believes.
A project of this size needs, in addition to a technical examination, legitimation through direct democracy, said Matthias Braun. It is right that the population is concerned about this issue, declared the director. Oppositions could also block the procedure. “It is all the more important that a national vote on the final deposit takes place,” he continued. He would consider possible approval from the Swiss people as a “strong signal” to move forward.
A committee in favor of a popular decision
Last week, a committee asked that after parliament, the Swiss decide on the project. He believed that the people should have the last word on such a complex matter. Opponents particularly criticized the absence of a plan B and the possibility of abandonment. A landfill for radioactive waste also represents a danger for future generations, for humans and for the environment, they criticized.
It has been known since September 2022 that the nuclear waste repository is to be drilled in the Zurich municipality of Stadel. “We are planning deep disposal for an amount of waste that would be produced by 60 years of operation of existing nuclear power plants,” said Matthias Braun. A reserve has also been provided. If Switzerland were to build new nuclear power plants, their waste would not have a place in the planned repository.
The competent federal services will verify the application for general authorization by spring 2025. The Federal Council and parliament will decide on the disposal of radioactive waste in deep geological layers from 2029. The start of construction is planned for 2045. “If the people reject the deep deposit, for example during a possible referendum in 2030, the ball will be in the politicians’ court. A new process will then have to be launched,” said Matthias Braun. Responsibility for radioactive waste would then be passed to the next generation.
