Aspects of the final storage of radioactive waste within the single-repository concept

There is consensus in the Federal Republic of Germany about storing all radioactive waste in deep geologic formations. This is possible on one site (single-repository concept) or on several sites (multi-repository concept). Which concept to prefer has undergone repeated changes in the past. Since 1998, the single-repository concept has become the federal government's waste management policy goal in the light of the planned termination of the use of nuclear power. From an ethical point of view, long-term safety is a matter of top priority in repository storage. Consequently, the best possible final storage option in this respect, and the best possible site of a repository, as determined in accordance with the rules of procedure, need to be identified. These are major preconditions of a solution to the waste management problem which is fair and equitable for present as well as future generations. When applied in a fair and equitable decisionmaking process, the single-repository concept, in a way, is the consequence of these ethical principles. At the present state of the art, there are no safety-related arguments against the single-repository concept. This is true in particular of the potential effects heat and gas generated by specific types of waste could have on the functioning of geologic barriers, and of possible chemical interactions among various kinds of waste. These effects must be counteracted by leaving sufficient space between such waste in the repository. Within the overall waste management concept, the single-repository approach would allow the repository capacity and the period of time for emplacing waste form the use of nuclear power to be optimized. If the site selection procedure were completed speedily, the repository would be available in time for the emplacement of spent fuel elements and high level waste as well as the medium and low level wastes arising in the future. (orig.)