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Application for “DR0” authorizations for Cigéo: the Environmental Authority issues an opinion

On June 27, 2024 the Environmental Authority of the General Inspectorate for the Environment and Sustainable Development (IGEDD), seized by the French government, published its opinion on Andra's applications for the environmental and urban-planning authorizations required for the initial characterization and environmental monitoring of Cigéo. 

The opinion of the Environmental Authority follows the submission of the files on March 6, 2024, to the prefecture and then to all the municipalities concerned, as part of the application for authorizations.

The purpose of these operations is to provide additional information to refine and consolidate the design of the Cigéo project. They include :

  • preventive archaeology operations (diagnostics and excavations) spread over several zones ;
  • geological, hydrogeological (study of groundwater) and geotechnical (study of soils with a view to building structures) investigations;
  • development of disposal areas and living bases for the various works.

This set of files, known as “DR0”, includes a new update of the overall impact study for the Cigéo project. As part of the examination of this application, the dossier and its impact study were assessed by the Environmental Authority of the General Inspectorate for the Environment and Sustainable Development (IGEDD), which published its opinion on June 27. On the basis of this opinion and the comments made, Andra will produce a memorandum in response, which will be attached to the public inquiry dossier scheduled for early 2025. Where necessary, adjustments will be made to the relevant dossiers before they are submitted to the public inquiry.