Disposal of radioactive wastes: Clarity at last!
Although nuclear power plants have operated in Switzerland for decades with safe, ecological and economic electricity production, the question of disposal of radioactive waste has not been clearly explained. The anti-nuclear lobby has always managed to effectively prevent the development of viable solutions.
We now need to unblock the situation, to finally take the lead with a clear and forward-looking framework for the production of nuclear power. If we take the CO2 problem – the most important environmental problem we want to solve – then nuclear energy needs a future. A good environmental policy must take this aspect into account.
The process of finding solutions should be under the following conditions: The sovereignty of the people must not be curtailed. Interim or final disposal facilities may only be built when approved by the population in a democratic process. It is desirable for each country to solve its disposal needs on its own territory.
If this is not possible in Switzerland, the variant of disposal abroad, corresponding to international standards, should be examined. If security for people and the environment can be guaranteed, this solution must not be considered from the outset for waste from Swiss nuclear power plants.