BASE is using this webpage to provide a brief summary of the procedure and outline the most important stakeholders and cross-border involvement opportunities for representatives from Germany's neighbouring countries.
The procedure
The site selection process commences with a 'blank map'. This means that all German federal states and all regions are included in the search. The process involves the exclusion, evaluation and comparison of potential sites until the repository site with the best possible safety is identified.
The road to the final repository in 3 steps.
Phase 1
During the first phase, BGE mbH will gather available geological data from all over Germany is assessing this according to criteria laid down by law. They include exclusion criteria like the risk of seismic or volcanic activity or damage to the bedrock caused by mining. Special minimum requirements also apply: for example, 300 metres of rock should separate the disposal site from the earth’s surface and it must be surrounded by a sufficiently strong layer of crystalline rock, (e.g. granite), salt or clay.
At the end of the first phase, BGE mbH will send a suggestion to BASE regarding site regions needing to be explored above ground. BASE will examine the suggestion and forward its recommendation to the German government. The elected representatives in the German parliament will then decide which regions should be explored.
Phase 2
During the second phase, BGE mbH will explore the bedrock through exploratory drilling and seismic measurements. As a result, BGE mbH will obtain a precise picture of the geology. It will suggest sites for underground exploration. BASE will also examine this suggestion, but parliament will make the final decision.
Phase 3
In the third phase, there will be an underground exploration of at least two sites. Based on a comparative assessment of the explored sites, BGE mbH will submit a site suggestion. BASE shall evaluate the results of the investigations and the participation procedure, and recommend the repository site with the best possible safety. In the end, the Bundestag shall finalise the site decision by law.
The process is currently in Phase 1. In September 2020, the company in charge of the search, the Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung (BGE), published an interim report on sub-areas, providing an initial status of its work. The public was invited to discuss the content of the report at three consultation meetings held as part of the sub-areas conference. The results of these meetings were submitted to the BGE. The BGE must incorporate the results of the consultation into its future work. The BGE has announced that it will publish preliminary progress reports annually from November 2024 and until the proposal for site regions is submitted. Further information on the current status of the procedure can be found here.
The German parliament debates and decides at the end of each phase how to proceed with the search for a disposal site. It makes its final decision about the disposal site on the basis of technical recommendations.
BMUV
The Federal Ministry for the Environment
The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUV) bears the political responsibility. It is the technical and legal supervisory body for the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE) and the sole shareholder of the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE).
BASE
The Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management
The Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE) is the control and supervisory body in the search for a disposal site, i.e. it ensures that the search procedure proceeds in the way stipulated by the law. It assesses the suggestions and exploration results provided by BGE and organises public participation.
BGE mbH
The Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal
The Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE mbH) is responsible for specifically implementing the site selection procedure. The company has requested the necessary geological data and information from the responsible authorities all over Germany and is assessing this according to criteria and requirements laid down in law.
The National Citizens’ Oversight Committee
The National Citizens’ Oversight Committee
The National Citizens’ Oversight Committee (NBG) has the task of accompanying the site selection procedure for high-level radioactive waste in an independent, transparent and comprehensible manner. It mediates between those involved in the search and the general public. The NBG is composed of well-known personalities from public life and members of the public, who have been asked at random and then selected from this group.
Public participation in the site selection procedure
Public participation in the site selection procedure is a fundamental aspect of ensuring the transparency and traceability of the search for a repository site. In light of the above, the legislator has defined extensive opportunities for citizen participation, which BASE is responsible for implementing. By way of illustration, the Site Selection Act provides for a variety of committees and formats throughout the entire procedure, through which citizens can participate continuously in the search for a repository site. No other infrastructure project in Germany offers such comprehensive opportunities for public participation.
The Sub-areas Conference
Members of the public discussed the interim report with the responsible company (BGE mbH), asked critical questions and made statements here. The results of the discussions at the conference were recorded in a report. BGE mbH must take the results into consideration in its ongoing work.
They are the most important participation forum in the search for a disposal site; they represent the interests of the region in question and offer far-reaching scope to shape the site selection procedure.
A mediating body, which consists of members of the regional conferences and representatives of those local communities in Germany where storage facilities for high-level radioactive waste already exist.
Comments procedures and public hearings take place at the end of each phase of the procedure. Any person involved can lodge objections.
Judicial reviews
Those affected can ask the Federal Administrative Court to review the selection procedure at the end of the second and third phases of the search.
Participation opportunities for neighbouring countries
The site selection procedure also allows neighbouring countries to participate. In particular, the establishment of the Regional Conferences at the conclusion of Phase 1 marks the beginning of these opportunities. The Regional Conferences represent the most significant participatory element of the Site Selection Procedure.
Regional conferences
Composition and tasks
BASE will organise regional conferences in each of the site regions suggested for above-ground exploration. They will consist of a plenary session and a group of representatives. The latter will be elected by the plenary session and will consist of members of the general public, representatives of local regional authorities (e.g. municipalities) and social groups (e.g. environmental associations), each providing one third of the members. The regional conferences will accompany the site selection procedure, can request scientific advice, provide opportunities to make comments and inform the regional public. If the regional conferences cast any doubts on BGE’s exploratory results, they may demand a review. Once a region has been withdrawn from the selection procedure, the associated regional conference will be disbanded.
If a site region borders on another country, the interests of the general public there must be considered to an equal degree. In these cases, the rules of procedure for the relevant regional conferences will determine how the neighbouring country should be involved. This includes the possibility of appointing representatives from the neighbouring country to the group of representatives for the regional conference. They may be representatives of state institutions, members of the public or members of social organisations.
Video
What are the regional conferences and what role do they play in the repository search procedure? This is explained in the following short video.
Furthermore, representatives from Germany's neighbouring countries will have the opportunity to participate in the comments procedures and hearings that will take place when the proposal for the site regions to be explored above ground at the end of Phase 1, for the proposal for the sites to be explored below ground at the end of Phase 2 and, finally, for the proposed site.
On-Site Information
On request, BASE takes part in information and dialog events organized by cities, districts and municipalities to provide information on the status of the process and opportunities for participation – also across borders. For questions and information, please contact BASE at dialog@base.bund.de.
Upcoming Participation Opportunities
In the period leading up to the Regional Conferences, representatives of civil society have collaborated with BASE to develop a new concept for participation. The concept comprises two closely interlinked elements of participation until the regional conferences commence: The Repository Search Forum and the Repository Search Forum Planning Team. The two participatory instruments are designed to work in conjunction with one another, with the objective of facilitating comprehensive monitoring of the BGE's progress and transparent communication with the public.
Upcoming Participation Opportunities
Repository Search Forum
It is important that the public is kept fully informed about the work of the project implementer BGE up to the start of the Regional Conferences, including any developments that may occur. The Repository Search Forum was established for this purpose. It is an open forum for dialogue, networking and participation, open to all interested parties. The objective is to provide an update on the work progress of BGE.The forum is planned together with the BGE and BASE and prepared by the Repository Search Forum Planning Team with groups from civil society, representatives from local authorities, science and citizens. The event has been held on an annual basis since 2022.This year’s edition of thee 14th Repository Search Forum is scheduled for 22-23 November 2024 in Würzburg and will also be accessible digitally. Please register via this link (in German).
Repository Search Forum Planning Team
Furthermore, the Planning Team addresses the advancement of the BGE and pertinent matters pertaining to the status of the procedure and the project sponsor's methodology, which are of interest to the public. The PFE's working methods and content are set out in its rules of procedure.The Repository Search Forum Planning Team is comprised of two representatives each from the municipal authorities, societal organisations, science and citizens, as well as representatives of the younger generation. Furthermore, representatives from participating institutions, such as BASE, BGE and NBG, are appointed. With the exception of the institutional representatives, the members of the Repository Search Forum Planning Team are elected by the participants of the Repository Search Forum.
Further information on the site selection procedure
