Emergency! Return of the nuclear waste from Asse starts at the earliest 2033

Emergency! Return of the nuclear waste from Asse starts at the earliest 2033

The discussion about the Asse nuclear waste warehouse is picking up a new journey: The operators of the shaft system have submitted an application for approval to withdraw nuclear waste at the Ministry of Environment in Hanover. It is all about the construction of a return shaft and the connection to a return mine. As the Federal Society for Final storage (BGE) reports, preparations for return have already been initiated, but the application is not yet complete. The project description is to be added in the coming years, which illustrates the urgency of the situation.

In the aces, around 126,000 barrels with weak and medium-radioactive waste since the 1960s and 1970s. This shaft system has been considered unstable for some time, so that the legally regulated return of the barrels is an important measure. Environment Minister Christian Meyer emphasizes that against the background of the changed water inflows, a rapid return is urgently necessary. Last year experts reported infiltration that generate worrying new waterways.

is the aces really in danger?

Before Pentecost, a headline caused excitement: "The ailing nuclear waste warehouse asse threatens to go." Christian Kühn, President of the Base supervisory authority, calls for a quick action to rescue the waste. Current information shows that the water inflow has decreased considerably-from the formerly 12.5 m³ of protage to currently only 2-3 m³. This decline alerts the BGE, which had to record 9 m³ of missing salt water. While experts assess the risk of catastrophic burglary as low, it is still warned of movements in the mine, which have only covered 7 m on the south flank in almost 60 years.

geophysical studies on the water movement at 658 m depth and deeper run in full speed. It also turns out that about 4 m³ of 725 m depth appear again every day. Here, however, a legal obstacle is to be overcome: the BGE has undertaken not to pump water from a depth of more than 700 m. In view of these challenges, there are considerations for an application for the free measurement of the water to submit it to a disposal company.

measures and outlook

The plans to return the waste, which are supposed to begin in 2033 at the earliest, provide for fully automated rescue and conditioning of the barrels. While the approval process for the return shaft continues to run, the BGE is also working on emergency planning for the emergency of a break -in or full running of the aces. The first analyzes show different salt freight of the water at 725 m depth, which could result in further examinations.

The BGE plans special measures to stabilize the mine if necessary. The spokeswoman for the BGE emphasizes that the plans are already well advanced, but it is assumed that they are not needed. The topic of nuclear waste storage asse will therefore stay on the political agenda and will also provide hot discussions in the coming years.