- German objections to Fessenheim reactors
Upon the demolition of the Alsatian nuclear power plant Fessenheim, a French investigative commission has stated that demands from neighboring Germany must be taken into account. For instance, it is necessary to monitor water quality on the German side of the Rhine, according to the report by the committee. Over 140 pages, the results of the public consultation on the dismantling of the nuclear facility are summarized.
The French nuclear power plant Fessenheim, south-east of Colmar near the border with Germany, was shut down in 2020 after 42 years of operation. For years, there had been harsh criticism from Germany due to suspected security risks at the old plant.
More Monitoring Stations for Radioactivity
To monitor that there is no radioactivity in the environment, the commission proposes additional monitoring facilities. The Stuttgart Ministry of the Environment welcomed the recommendation to intensify monitoring of radioactivity.
"The points raised by Baden-Württemberg have been largely accepted," the authority of Minister Thekla Walker (Greens) stated upon request. "We therefore consider the involvement of the German side to be a success." Due to the location of Fessenheim directly on the border, impacts on the state cannot be ruled out.
The report by the French committee from July further states that the sensitivity of the German side regarding nuclear power and radioactivity must be taken into account during the dismantling of the plant. The commission recommends, unsurprisingly, the dismantling of the nuclear facility. There were statements from citizens on both sides of the Rhine, as well as submissions from authorities, during the public consultation.
France Continues to Rely on Nuclear Power
Unlike Germany, France continues to rely on nuclear power for its energy supply and achieving climate protection goals. President Emmanuel Macron wants to significantly strengthen the nuclear sector in the country.
The dismantling of the nuclear power plant Fessenheim is expected to begin in 2026, according to earlier statements. A decommissioning decree from the French government is still needed for this. According to the Alsatian regional newspaper "Les Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace", the Parisian Ministry of the Environment is leading the project. The works are likely to take around 15 years.
20,000 Tons of Radioactive Waste
During the dismantling of the nuclear power plant, around 20,000 tons of radioactive waste need to be disposed of, according to earlier statements. Most of this waste is reportedly only slightly contaminated and will be stored in eastern France.
The French energy giant EDF plans to build a recycling facility for slightly radioactive waste at the Fessenheim site. This so-called Technocentre is to be built on an unused area and is expected to be operational by 2031.
Opposition in Germany to Industrial Project
The project is criticized by environmentalists on both sides of the Rhine, as they fear radioactivity in recycled metals. The green-black state government in Stuttgart has several reasons against the establishment of such a facility in Fessenheim, as Minister Thekla Walker (Greens) announced in spring. The planned Technocentre was not a topic of the completed public consultation.
The French investigative commission, known as The Commission, emphasizes the need for additional monitoring facilities to ensure no radioactivity leaks into the environment post-Fessenheim's dismantling, a recommendation that has been welcomed by the Stuttgart Ministry of Environment. The commission also acknowledges the sensitivity of Germany towards nuclear power and radioactivity, and advocates for taking it into account during the dismantling process.
