Proposed deep repository for radioactive waste currently enjoys majority acceptance

Although only a minority of the population expects economic benefits for the host region, a large proportion of those surveyed believe it is likely that a final repository would generate additional income (83% very/quite likely) and permanent jobs (76%). A majority also consider it possible that a final repository would lead to improvements in infrastructure (60%) and stimulate trade (51%). Only a few consider positive effects on the hospitality and retail sectors (33%) and population growth (22%) to be realistic.

However, criticism is certainly expected: around three quarters believe that tensions among the population in the affected region (77% very/quite likely) and unrest caused by protests and rioters (73%) are likely. Both consequences have become more likely for the population in recent years. This is followed by economic aspects such as falling property values (67%) and sales problems for agricultural products (54%). The majority also expect a loss of attractiveness. This is more likely to be in the leisure and tourism sector (61%) than for potential new residents and/or businesses (53%). The issue is therefore seen as having potential for conflict, and a certain amount of unrest is perceived.

Even among the residents of Nördlich Lägern who are directly affected, there is currently a clear perception of opportunity with regard to deep geological repositories:

Once again, large majorities assume that a final repository would mean additional income for the municipality (84% very/quite likely) and the creation of permanent jobs (79%). In addition, the majority of the population here also assumes that this would trigger positive impulses for trade and industry and that the infrastructure in the entire area would benefit (54% in each case). Of the possible negative consequences of a final repository that were discussed, the residents of Nördlich Lägern consider tensions among the affected population (73% very/quite likely) and unrest caused by protests and anarchists (68%) to be quite likely. However, the majority of residents directly affected in Nördlich Lägern also consider a loss of attractiveness in terms of leisure activities (56%) and for potential new residents (53%) as well as concrete economic disadvantages such as lower property values (53%) and sales problems for agricultural products (50%) to be likely.

Just under two-thirds of the population consider a final repository to be a technical masterpiece (64%) of which Switzerland can be proud. In particular, majorities are also convinced of the greater safety of deep repositories compared to surface disposal sites (76%). The majority of Swiss citizens also agree in principle that the region where the repository is located should receive compensation. 71 per cent agree with a reward, as long as it is not excessive. There is also no dispute that the region deserves the solidarity of the whole of Switzerland (60 per cent). Accordingly, the majority of residents of Nördlich Lägern also believe that the region where a repository is located should be rewarded, as long as this is not excessive (64%), and that it deserves the solidarity of the whole of Switzerland (62%).

In addition to acknowledging the high urgency of the issue (86% want the problem of final storage of radioactive waste to be solved as quickly as possible), the inhabitants of Switzerland also largely agree that it is only fair that radioactive waste produced in Switzerland should also be stored in Switzerland (84% very/somewhat agree). However, almost one in four people are not interested in the discussion as long as the repository for radioactive waste is not built in their neighbourhood (24%). Furthermore, only a minority see the solution to the final storage of radioactive waste as a reason to build new nuclear power plants (37%).