The BfE's tasks

The BfE regulates and co-ordinates the site selection procedure for a repository for high-level radioactive waste pursuant to the legal specifications. At the same time it ensures public participation in the search procedure.

Furthermore, the Federal Office is tasked with securing the refinancing of the repository site selection procedure. In this context, it issues –bills of costs and advance payment notices to the waste producers under the contribution procedure (§§25 ff. StandAG).

In the scope of the repository site selection procedure, the BfE implements the following legal tasks:

1. Tasks as regulator:

   • Government supervision of the implementation of the site selection process (section 19 (1) to (4) Atomic Energy Act (AtG)
   • Evaluation of proposals by the implementing agency on surface exploration (section 14 StandAG)
   • Formulation of site-specific programmes and test criteria for surface and in-depth geological exploration (sections 15 and 18 StandAG)
   • Evaluation of the sites proposed by the implementing agency for underground exploration (section 17 (1) StandAG)
   • Certification that the site selection process was carried out in accordance with the requirements and criteria laid down in the Repository Site Selection Act and that the site proposed by the implementing agency for underground exploration meets these requirements and criteria (section 17 (4) StandAG)
   • Strategic environmental assessments (sections 11 (3), 14 (2), 17 (2) StandAG, sections 14a et seqq. Act on the Assessment of Environmental Impacts (UVPG))
   • Final proposal for a site (section 19 StandAG)
2. Public information and participation during the site selection process

3. Following the commissioning of the Konrad repository, planning approval for the decommissioning of the Morsleben repository and the designation of the repository site in law according to the Repository Site Selection Act, the BfE will take over the following tasks in accordance with section 23d AtG:

   • Plan approval and licensing according to section 9b AtG and their withdrawal
   • Granting of licences and other permissions necessary according to mining law as well as licensing procedures pursuant to section 9b AtG for the erection, operation and decommissioning of federal installations for safekeeping and final disposal pursuant to section 9a (3) AtG after consultation with the responsible mining authority
   • Mining supervision pursuant to sections 69 to 74 of the Federal Mining Act regarding federal installations for safekeeping and final disposal pursuant to section 9a (3) AtG
   • Granting of permits or concessions according to water law during licensing procedures pursuant to section 9b AtG for federal installations for safekeeping and final disposal pursuant to section 9a (3) AtG after consultation with the competent water authority

The Asse II mine is excluded from these provisions.