Declaration of public utility: opening of the public inquiry Wednesday, September 15
The public inquiry prior to the declaration of public utility of the Cigéo center, starts on September 15, 2021. Cigéo is the deep geological disposal project forf the most dangerous and long-lived waste, mainly from the nuclear power industry.
A solution enshrined in law
Disposal in a deep geological layer is the reference solution currently included in the law for the management of the most dangerous French radioactive waste. This solution is being implemented gradually by the National Agency for the Management of Radioactive Waste (Andra), which is in charge of the Cigeo project on behalf of the State.
The prefect of the Meuse, appointed coordinating prefect of the Cigeo project, is in charge of the organization of the public inquiry.
The Public Inquiry
The public Inquiry is led and chaired by an independant commission which brings together 5 neutral commissioners, appointed by the president of the Administrative Court of Nancy.
Interactions between the citizens and the commission will be made possible in several public meetings.
Schedule
August 2020: Andra lodges a public utility declaration request file (this request does not constitute a project authorization request, which will be the subject of a separate procedure).
January 13, 2021: opinion of the Environmental Authority on the public inquiry file prior to the declaration of public utility.
August 2021: publication of Andra's response to the opinion of the Environmental Authority.
September 9, 2021: organization of a webinar by Andra to present its responses to the recommendations of the Environmental Authority to the public (registrations on the Andra website).
From September 15 to October 23, 2021: public inquiry into the public utility declaration request file, accompanied by the opinion of the Environmental Authority and Andra's response brief.