Asse II Nuclear Waste Retrieval Postponed Indefinitely, Sparking Outrage
The long-delayed plan to retrieve radioactive waste from the Asse II salt mine in Germany has been indefinitely postponed, according to a statement from the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE) on Friday, March 13, 2026. The postponement has drawn sharp criticism from Lower Saxony’s Environment Minister, Christian Meyer, who called the decision a breach of legal obligations.
Retrieval Timeline in Disarray
The BGE indicated that the previously anticipated start date of 2033 for waste retrieval is no longer feasible. A spokesperson, Dagmar Dehmer, explained that rescheduling is a key factor in the inability to present an overall plan this spring, as originally scheduled. This follows the revelation that the 2020 project plan was a concept “not supported by planning in many places.”
Minister Meyer Expresses Outrage
Environment Minister Meyer vehemently opposed the delay, stating that the immediate retrieval of nuclear waste from Asse II is not merely a promise to the local population but a legally mandated requirement passed by the Bundestag. He expressed concern that the focus is shifting towards preparing for the mine’s flooding rather than prioritizing waste removal. Meyer emphasized the BGE’s legal obligation to adhere to the Asse Act and initiate the clearing of the nuclear waste from the deteriorating mine.
The Asse II Challenge
The Asse II mine contains approximately 126,000 barrels of low- and medium-level radioactive nuclear waste, emplaced during the 1960s and 1970s. The facility has been deemed unstable, necessitating the removal of the waste. The BGE had previously estimated that costs would exceed three billion euros even before the start of retrieval operations.
Ongoing Assessment of Chamber Conditions
Preparations for retrieval have been underway, including exploratory work within the mine. As of August 19, 2025, an exploratory borehole provided initial insights into the condition of the stored drums within Storage Chamber 12. Iris Graffunder, Chair of the Management Board of BGE, reported that the visible barrels appeared to be in good condition, but further analysis of the chamber atmosphere and activity levels is required. Storage Chamber 12 holds 7,464 containers, including 6,747 drums and 717 ‘lost concrete shields’ (drums encased in concrete), dating back to storage operations in 1973 and 1974. The chamber is known to be a high radon emitter and experienced the formation of a sump containing contaminated solution, leading to its designation under nuclear law in 2009.
Future Outlook
The indefinite postponement of the Asse II waste retrieval project raises serious concerns about the long-term safety and environmental implications of leaving radioactive materials in an unstable geological formation. Continued monitoring and assessment of the mine’s condition, alongside a renewed commitment to a concrete retrieval plan, are crucial to addressing this complex challenge.