popular articles

Demonstration in France against the approval of radioactive waste disposal

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Bure, Meuse, to protest against the Cigéo project to bury the most radioactive nuclear waste. The event, which brought together activists of various nationalities as well as local residents, was marked by a festive atmosphere.

Please share:

Several hundred people demonstrated on Saturday in Bure (Meuse) against the Cigéo project to bury the most radioactive nuclear waste, at the close of the “Rencontres des luttes paysannes” (Farmers’ Struggle Encounters).

Demonstration against the disposal of radioactive waste in France: International activists join the march in Mandres-en-Barrois

The procession, opened by a banner reading “La Meuse n’est pas une poubelle nucléaire”, brought together anti-nuclear activists of different nationalities (French, Germans, Swiss, Brazilians, Colombians), local residents and families in a noisy and festive atmosphere for a march to the nearby commune of Mandres en Barrois.

Flags from La France insoumise, the Confédération paysanne, the Sortir du nucléaire network and the Solidaires union were visible.

“Nearly a thousand people took part in the Rencontres, and we were between 700 and 800 for the march,” Fred, a market gardener and member of the organizing committee, told AFP, declining to give his name.

“Some internationals didn’t take part in the march, they feel that policing in France is too violent,” he assured. In the words of Marie-Neige Houchard, departmental co-secretary of Europe-écologie-Les Verts (EELV), the demonstration was aimed at denouncing the government’s “heavy-handed approach” to “impose the landfill despite the opposition of the people of the Meuse”.

“There’s a complete denial of democracy surrounding this project. And then the elected representatives are being showered with public money to buy their consciences”, she lamented, referring to the 30 million euros distributed each year by the two Public Interest Groups (GIP) in Meuse and Haute-Marne for local economic development.

Anti-nuclear mobilization: demonstrators denounce the Cigéo project at Bure

“Cigéo gives the impression that we can use nuclear power, that the waste is manageable, whereas it’s there for tens of thousands of years,” said Pierre Ferté, a 58-year-old beekeeper from the Marne region of France.

“Burying them is really burying your head in the sand, it’s not a solution.” Marie Michaud, 30, a peasant agriculture project manager, is concerned about “land grabbing by Andra (Agence nationale pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs, the French national radioactive waste management agency) and Safer” (Société d’Aménagement Foncier et d’Etablissement Rural, the French land development company) for the benefit of Cigéo.

“It’s very complicated for a young farmer to set up here, because Andra has a stranglehold on the land,” says the young woman from Moselle.

“Today, we need farmers to keep this region alive.

The demonstration went off without a hitch. A large-scale security operation was set up by the prefecture, which authorized surveillance by drones and helicopters.

“The size of the operation is relatively large, with several mobile force units involved,” the prefecture told AFP, without specifying the number of agents mobilized.

In January, Andra submitted a request for authorization (DAC) for the Cigéo project, aimed at bringing to fruition the plan to bury nuclear waste at Bure. For the time being, Andra’s Meuse site only houses a scientific laboratory, and no radioactive waste is stored there.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Advertising

Recently published in

GE Hitachi makes progress in the UK competition for small modular reactors (SMRs), confirming its position in the nuclear power sector.
NANO Nuclear receives support from the U.S. Department of Energy for its portable 'ZEUS' reactor, with technical collaboration from Idaho National Laboratory.
NANO Nuclear receives support from the U.S. Department of Energy for its portable 'ZEUS' reactor, with technical collaboration from Idaho National Laboratory.
Oklo Inc. validates a strategic milestone by finalizing an agreement with the **U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)** to conduct site inspections for its modular nuclear reactor in Idaho. This reactor project, scheduled for 2027, is part of a broader drive to develop new nuclear technologies in the United States.
Oklo Inc. validates a strategic milestone by finalizing an agreement with the **U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)** to conduct site inspections for its modular nuclear reactor in Idaho. This reactor project, scheduled for 2027, is part of a broader drive to develop new nuclear technologies in the United States.
The vote to appoint Matthew Marzano to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has been postponed to November 13, without any official explanation, despite questions about his qualifications.
The vote to appoint Matthew Marzano to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has been postponed to November 13, without any official explanation, despite questions about his qualifications.
For the first time in the USA, previously closed nuclear power plants are about to be recommissioned by energy companies, in an unprecedented move to meet the growing demand for electricity.
Centrus urges the U.S. government to direct the $3.4 billion in federal investment into domestic nuclear technology, in order to strengthen U.S. energy independence from foreign dependencies.
Centrus urges the U.S. government to direct the $3.4 billion in federal investment into domestic nuclear technology, in order to strengthen U.S. energy independence from foreign dependencies.
Nuclear power development requires hybrid financial models to overcome cost and investment obstacles. Industry players are exploring innovative strategies to secure the financing needed for this key sector.
Nuclear power development requires hybrid financial models to overcome cost and investment obstacles. Industry players are exploring innovative strategies to secure the financing needed for this key sector.
The merger between ASN and IRSN, aimed at creating a single new authority for nuclear safety, is due to be finalized by January 2025. The timetable, judged to be tight, raises a number of organizational challenges.
The merger between ASN and IRSN, aimed at creating a single new authority for nuclear safety, is due to be finalized by January 2025. The timetable, judged to be tight, raises a number of organizational challenges.
Standard Uranium expands its Corvo project in the eastern Athabasca Basin to 12,265 hectares with increased exploration prospects and new partnerships.
Nuclear-friendly countries are calling on financial institutions and development banks to finance nuclear infrastructure and develop small modular reactors.
Nuclear-friendly countries are calling on financial institutions and development banks to finance nuclear infrastructure and develop small modular reactors.
NANO Nuclear Space is working on adapting its micronuclear reactors for space missions, with a focus on cis-lunar space.
NANO Nuclear Space is working on adapting its micronuclear reactors for space missions, with a focus on cis-lunar space.
Fourteen major financial institutions have pledged to support the global expansion of nuclear power to triple its capacity by 2050, marking a key step in the energy transition.
Fourteen major financial institutions have pledged to support the global expansion of nuclear power to triple its capacity by 2050, marking a key step in the energy transition.
Poland is financing the construction of its first nuclear power plant with an allocation of 60 billion zloty, strengthening its energy independence and creating major economic opportunities.
Kaycee project in Wyoming reveals promising uranium mineralization. Drilling by Nuclear Fuels Inc. s drilling marks a significant advance, with results indicating a possible connection between the Spur and Saddle zones.
Kaycee project in Wyoming reveals promising uranium mineralization. Drilling by Nuclear Fuels Inc. s drilling marks a significant advance, with results indicating a possible connection between the Spur and Saddle zones.
Holtec International has selected South Yorkshire as the location for its new Small Modular Reactor (SMR) plant, with the aim of supplying Europe and the Middle East while strengthening the UK nuclear supply chain.
Holtec International has selected South Yorkshire as the location for its new Small Modular Reactor (SMR) plant, with the aim of supplying Europe and the Middle East while strengthening the UK nuclear supply chain.
Japan and China have reached an agreement for the independent monitoring of treated water discharges from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. This decision paves the way for a potential lifting of the Chinese embargo on Japanese fish products.
Japan and China have reached an agreement for the independent monitoring of treated water discharges from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. This decision paves the way for a potential lifting of the Chinese embargo on Japanese fish products.
The *Nuclear Regulatory Commission* (NRC) authorizes *Florida Power & Light* to extend operation of units 3 and 4 of the Turkey Point nuclear power plant until 2053.
Agnès Pannier-Runacher, now head of the French Ministry of Ecology and Energy, plays a key role in implementing the national energy strategy, while defending the interests of French nuclear power at European level.
Agnès Pannier-Runacher, now head of the French Ministry of Ecology and Energy, plays a key role in implementing the national energy strategy, while defending the interests of French nuclear power at European level.
KHNP has won the tender to build two reactors in the Czech Republic, but appeals from Westinghouse and EDF are calling into question the finalization of the project.
KHNP has won the tender to build two reactors in the Czech Republic, but appeals from Westinghouse and EDF are calling into question the finalization of the project.
Constellation restarts a unit at the Three Mile Island power plant to supply Microsoft with electricity. This 20-year agreement is part of a response to the growing demand for low-carbon energy in data centers.
Constellation restarts a unit at the Three Mile Island power plant to supply Microsoft with electricity. This 20-year agreement is part of a response to the growing demand for low-carbon energy in data centers.
The nuclear sector, crucial to the fight against climate change, is struggling to triple its global capacity by 2050. An expert report reveals financial and structural challenges, underscoring the urgent need for concerted action to revitalize the industry.
Standard Uranium Ltd. reports encouraging results from its drilling program at the Canary Project in the Athabasca Basin. Abnormal levels of uranium and indicator elements underline the potential for future exploration in this promising region.
Standard Uranium Ltd. reports encouraging results from its drilling program at the Canary Project in the Athabasca Basin. Abnormal levels of uranium and indicator elements underline the potential for future exploration in this promising region.
The Czech Republic is embarking on a major energy transition by developing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in partnership with Rolls-Royce. This initiative aims to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The Czech Republic is embarking on a major energy transition by developing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in partnership with Rolls-Royce. This initiative aims to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The restart of the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan, after a two-year shutdown, raises technical and financial concerns. The challenges encountered could influence the future of nuclear power in the United States and public confidence in the sector.
The restart of the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan, after a two-year shutdown, raises technical and financial concerns. The challenges encountered could influence the future of nuclear power in the United States and public confidence in the sector.

Advertising