Germany Pushes for Oversight in Proposed Swiss Nuclear Waste Storage Near Border

Planned Swiss nuclear waste repository near Baden-Württemberg raises safety concerns and calls for cross-border collaboration.

Switzerland has submitted plans for a nuclear waste repository in Nördlich Lägern, just two kilometers from the German border in Baden-Württemberg.
German officials, including Environment Minister Thekla Walker, emphasize that safety must take precedence over costs in the project's development.
Switzerland's approval process involves detailed reviews, with a parliamentary decision expected in 2030 and a potential public referendum in 2031.
German authorities have legal avenues for input, including public consultations and a cross-border review process, with further opportunities anticipated in 2028.
The project has faced criticism from border communities, with German officials advocating for the protection of regional interests and environmental safety.