NuclearAtomic Crossroads: The Complexities of Nuclear Power and Its WasteEeva Rosenqvist, Tabea Brochier, and Andrei Zündel

Nuclear power is a contentious issue globally. On one hand, it represents an energy source with low CO2 emissions; on the other, it inexorably generates hazardous waste that poses a significant threat to life. As some nations consider building even more new power plants, others opt to decommission them entirely.

Regardless of the polemics and scenarios surrounding nuclear power, one fact is evident: the waste is already generated and it must be managed safely. The whole world is, hence, looking for a solution to locate repositories. Switzerland, as one of the few leading countries, has decided the siting of the high level radioactive waste repository.

The repository construction will be one of the largest construction projects of Switzerland of the century. We chose to juxtapose it to the project of the longest tunnel in Switzerland, the Gotthardtunnel, to illustrate the effects on a concrete level.

Stadel, as a neighboring city of repository placement, has encountered both acceptance and objection of high level waste repository. While the toxicity of the waste is a major concern, the main objection centers on the repository’s impact on the community.

As said, high level waste repositories are currently a highly researched topic all around the world. As a pioneer in high-level radioactive waste repositories, Switzerland has the opportunity to establish a repository culture.