Management of nuclear waste:
The era of political confrontation has arrived!
The problems associated with the management of nuclear waste go far beyond economic and environmental concerns. In my view, it is primarily a question of social responsibility. What kind of planet Earth do we want to leave to our children? Are we ready to take responsible action by setting long-term goals?
The political timetable of recent years, as well as work and projects, indicate that this issue must now be addressed. As opponents and proponents of nuclear energy have not as yet reached consensus, the political debate can now finally take a constructive course. The management of nuclear waste must concern us given its high-level of radiation. For this reason, I plead for the concept of deep geological disposal which, in my opinion, represents the single possible solution to the demands of long-term security and retrievability.
There is therefore absolutely, and within a short period, the political basis on which to create such a facility. In the long-term, international solutions for the storage of highly radioactive nuclear waste abroad are conceivable. The prerequisite for this would be the guaranteed fulfilment of the current security requirements by the country concerned.
In the coming period Parliament will express its opinion on the issue of waste management in the context of the revision of the Nuclear Energy Act. This discussion, previously always driven by emotion among the political groups, will now finally be allowed to yield to a pragmatic discussion based on collective responsibility.
On this question sense must prevail and a lasting solution finally found to the worrying problem of the management of radioactive waste.