Several dozen opponents of the Cigeo nuclear waste landfill project in Bure (Meuse) prevented the holding of the public meeting organized as part of the public inquiry into this project on Friday.

Creating a loud uproar with whistles, the anti-Cigéo militants inhibited any speaking during this meeting organized at the multipurpose room of the Meusien village of Gondrecourt-le-Château.

This step is a prerequisite for a possible declaration of public utility (DUP) of the project piloted by the National Agency for the management of radioactive waste (Andra).

The gendarmerie, present on the scene, intervened and evacuated the room which took place in peace.

"These public meetings are a masquerade: the project leaders have the obligation to organize them, but in no case do they take into account the opinions of the people", declared Louise, an activist who did not wish to give her name.

"We are not going to come and pretend to say that we do not agree when the authorities do not care what we think," she continued.

"I am disappointed, but not surprised"

"This is a very clear message addressed to the public authorities and to the investigating commissioners: there is a great unease in the region and it has been going on for twenty years", estimated Corinne François, member of the Bure Stop collective. “All the scientific arguments against the project are not taken into account. Andra (the project leader, editor's note) says '' we will respond to it as the project progresses ''. It's not serious, ”added the activist who did not participate in the blocking.

"It's a shame, we would like everyone to express themselves audibly," lamented Claude Bastien, the chairman of the commission of inquiry.

He stressed that the investigation was continuing, by telephone, on the internet and in the hotlines organized in some town halls.

"I am disappointed, but not surprised," said Patrice Torres, industrial director at Andra.

“We hope that exchanges will continue and that democracy can be expressed.

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"I am extremely happy with the turn of events"

In the audience, the reactions were quite varied. "It is a small faction which imposes its law on others, it is undemocratic, they take us hostage", annoyed Jeanne, a local resident. "I am extremely happy with the turn of events", on the contrary reacted Benoit, a 62-year-old retiree. “There is no more to discuss. Andra buys people's conscience with millions of GIP (Public Interest Group), promises wonders in terms of financial benefits in an area where there are no jobs, it is a great hypocrisy, just to install his nuclear trash ".

Several national public debates have already been organized around the Cigéo project and the management of nuclear waste, particularly in 2013 and 2019. The Cigéo project aims to bury, 500 meters underground in Bure, 85,000 m3 of the most radioactive waste in the park French nuclear power plant, from 2035. Obtaining the DUP would allow town planning documents to be brought into conformity and the acquisition by Andra of the land required by expropriation.

Society

Launch of a public inquiry into the Bure landfill project

Justice

Seven opponents of the Cigéo de Bure project sent back to correctional services

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