Uncertain Fate of Nuclear Waste Transport in North Rhine-Westphalia
The timing of a nuclear waste transport across the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) remains shrouded in uncertainty. State Minister for Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur (Green Party) recently informed a parliamentary committee in Düsseldorf that the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BfE) has not yet granted a permit for the transportation of the waste. As a result, "there can currently be no concrete schedule," she said.
However, the NRW Ministry of Economic Affairs has received a draft of the transport permit. The content is classified as confidential and cannot be discussed publicly, Neubaur clarified.
The nuclear waste in question originates from the former research reactor in Jülich and is scheduled to be transported to Ahaus in the Münsterland region. Ahaus already houses nuclear waste from other parts of Germany. The storage permit for the Jülich site expired in 2013, and the spent nuclear fuel should have been removed long ago.
The planned relocation has sparked protests, with concerned residents and activists vehemently opposing the move. Some politicians have also expressed concerns. According to a ruling by the Münster Higher Administrative Court in December 2024, the 152 Castor containers can be stored in Ahaus. A challenge to the court decision by the city of Ahaus and a resident was unsuccessful.
In 2023, a trial run was conducted on the approximately 170-kilometer route. The heavy transport of an empty Castor container was accompanied by a massive police escort.
In contrast to the federal government, the Black-Green state government of NRW favors leaving the Castors in Jülich in a newly built storage facility to minimize nuclear transports within the state. State Minister Neubaur emphasized in the parliamentary committee that the federal government has "de facto focused on the transport option."
Background on the Jülich Nuclear Waste
The Jülich research reactor operated from 1967 to 1988 and produced nuclear waste that includes spent fuel rods and other radioactive materials. The waste has been stored at the site since the reactor’s shutdown.
Controversy and Opposition
The proposed transport of the nuclear waste to Ahaus has raised concerns about potential risks to the environment and public health. Critics argue that the transport route poses a danger to nearby communities and that the Ahaus storage facility is not suitable for long-term storage.
Political Stance
The Black-Green coalition government in NRW has expressed its opposition to the nuclear waste transport. The government supports the option of constructing a new storage facility in Jülich to avoid the risks associated with transportation. However, the decision ultimately lies with the federal government.
Legal Considerations
The Münster Higher Administrative Court ruling in 2024 granted permission for the storage of the Castor containers in Ahaus. This legal decision will need to be taken into account in any future decisions regarding the waste.
Ongoing Debate
The fate of the Jülich nuclear waste remains a topic of ongoing debate and uncertainty. The safety and environmental concerns raised by the transport and storage of the waste will continue to influence the decision-making process.
