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.

Publicite

Recently published in

A radioactive steam leak detected in the reactor building of Flamanville unit 1 forces EDF to postpone its restart by one month, according to the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority.
French firm Framatome has been selected to modernise control systems at Switzerland’s Leibstadt nuclear plant, as part of a strategic investment aiming to extend its operation through 2045.
French firm Framatome has been selected to modernise control systems at Switzerland’s Leibstadt nuclear plant, as part of a strategic investment aiming to extend its operation through 2045.
The U.S. Department of Energy reopens a $900M envelope to finance the construction of third-generation small modular reactors, aiming to rapidly expand national power capacity.
The U.S. Department of Energy reopens a $900M envelope to finance the construction of third-generation small modular reactors, aiming to rapidly expand national power capacity.
HYLENR Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding with TakeMe2Space to test a low-energy nuclear reaction power solution aboard satellites designed for orbital computing.
HYLENR Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding with TakeMe2Space to test a low-energy nuclear reaction power solution aboard satellites designed for orbital computing.
Japanese researchers have assembled a rechargeable battery harnessing the chemical properties of uranium, aiming to convert stored depleted uranium into a strategic energy storage resource.
The French government is pressing EDF and industrial players to reach a pricing agreement by summer, amid ongoing tensions over nuclear supply contracts.
The French government is pressing EDF and industrial players to reach a pricing agreement by summer, amid ongoing tensions over nuclear supply contracts.
Two small modular reactor developers begin preliminary engagement with the US nuclear authority, ahead of filing applications for distinct projects targeting industrial use cases.
Two small modular reactor developers begin preliminary engagement with the US nuclear authority, ahead of filing applications for distinct projects targeting industrial use cases.
Fortum continues preparations for new nuclear capacity in Finland and Sweden, selecting three suppliers after a two-year feasibility study.
Fortum continues preparations for new nuclear capacity in Finland and Sweden, selecting three suppliers after a two-year feasibility study.
NRG-Pallas will conduct irradiation tests necessary for qualifying materials and fuel of Kairos Power's modular reactor, a critical prerequisite for regulatory approval in the United States.
Tokyo Electric Power Company will begin next week the removal of thousands of contaminated sandbags, stored since 2011 in the Fukushima Daiichi basements, using robots designed for high-radiation environments.
Tokyo Electric Power Company will begin next week the removal of thousands of contaminated sandbags, stored since 2011 in the Fukushima Daiichi basements, using robots designed for high-radiation environments.
Welding of the main reactor for Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear power plant has been completed in Russia, marking a major milestone in the development of the country's first civilian nuclear programme.
Welding of the main reactor for Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear power plant has been completed in Russia, marking a major milestone in the development of the country's first civilian nuclear programme.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has established a new agency to oversee nuclear energy, appointing Almassadam Satkaliyev as its head. This structure aims to enhance the country’s energy security and support its long-term nuclear ambitions.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has established a new agency to oversee nuclear energy, appointing Almassadam Satkaliyev as its head. This structure aims to enhance the country’s energy security and support its long-term nuclear ambitions.
The US Department of Energy allocated a $57 million loan to Holtec International to support the relaunch of the Palisades nuclear plant, which has been closed since 2022, to ensure compliance with NRC safety standards.
Orano and Navoiyuran have signed a strategic agreement for the industrial development of the South Djengeldi uranium deposit in Uzbekistan, with the entry of Japanese company ITOCHU Corporation as a minority partner.
Orano and Navoiyuran have signed a strategic agreement for the industrial development of the South Djengeldi uranium deposit in Uzbekistan, with the entry of Japanese company ITOCHU Corporation as a minority partner.
Chubu Electric starts dismantling reactors at Hamaoka plant, marking a turning point in the management of its nuclear sector as Japan plans to gradually reintroduce nuclear energy into its energy mix.
Chubu Electric starts dismantling reactors at Hamaoka plant, marking a turning point in the management of its nuclear sector as Japan plans to gradually reintroduce nuclear energy into its energy mix.
President Emmanuel Macron has announced an additional delay for the commissioning of the first EPR2 reactors, now set for 2038 instead of 2035. This decision was made during a meeting dedicated to the nuclear program.
President Emmanuel Macron has announced an additional delay for the commissioning of the first EPR2 reactors, now set for 2038 instead of 2035. This decision was made during a meeting dedicated to the nuclear program.
Engie has finalized a ten-year extension agreement with the Belgian state for the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors, including a financial responsibility transfer related to spent fuel, following recent approval by the European Commission.
Tests on the concrete of the EPR2 Penly seawall have raised doubts about its compliance with safety standards, according to Mediapart and Reporterre. EDF and Eiffage contest these claims, asserting that the material meets technical requirements.
Tests on the concrete of the EPR2 Penly seawall have raised doubts about its compliance with safety standards, according to Mediapart and Reporterre. EDF and Eiffage contest these claims, asserting that the material meets technical requirements.
On Monday, President Emmanuel Macron will chair a Nuclear Policy Council focused on small modular reactors (SMRs) and uranium supply, within a global context of renewed interest in nuclear energy.
On Monday, President Emmanuel Macron will chair a Nuclear Policy Council focused on small modular reactors (SMRs) and uranium supply, within a global context of renewed interest in nuclear energy.
A group of technology and energy companies, along with 31 countries, has signed a pledge to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050, supporting a strategic expansion of this energy source.
A group of technology and energy companies, along with 31 countries, has signed a pledge to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050, supporting a strategic expansion of this energy source.
HD Hyundai and TerraPower have entered into a strategic partnership to optimise the manufacturing of Natrium reactor components. This collaboration aims to structure an industrial supply chain to accelerate their global deployment.
KHNP and Samsung C&T have signed an agreement to collaborate on international nuclear projects, aiming to strengthen their global competitiveness, particularly in the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific market.
KHNP and Samsung C&T have signed an agreement to collaborate on international nuclear projects, aiming to strengthen their global competitiveness, particularly in the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific market.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has begun an assessment visit to the Rooppur nuclear power plant, Bangladesh’s first facility, 90% financed by Russia. The inspection focuses on site safety ahead of the scheduled fuel loading in 2025.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has begun an assessment visit to the Rooppur nuclear power plant, Bangladesh’s first facility, 90% financed by Russia. The inspection focuses on site safety ahead of the scheduled fuel loading in 2025.
Orano has secured a €400 million loan from the European Investment Bank to finance the expansion of its Georges Besse II uranium enrichment plant at Tricastin, aiming to increase its capacity by 30% by 2028.
Orano has secured a €400 million loan from the European Investment Bank to finance the expansion of its Georges Besse II uranium enrichment plant at Tricastin, aiming to increase its capacity by 30% by 2028.

Advertising