Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks: "In the comments submitted by citizens, particular concerns were expressed about the expansion of the Konrad mine. We have taken these concerns very seriously and incorporated them into the revision of the draft after evaluating the comments."

With regard to the waste from the Asse II mine and the waste from the uranium enrichment plant in Gronau, which may have to be disposed of, the waste management program specified that this should be taken into account when searching for a site for the final repository, particularly for highly radioactive waste.

Hendricks: "Schacht Konrad cannot be ruled out with absolute certainty. But I have clearly set out the direction. We want to avoid an expansion of Konrad in this way."

As a basis for the preparation of the National Waste Management Program, the BMU has drawn up this overall presentation, which includes all foreseeable and potential nuclear waste that needs to be disposed of. The program will now be submitted to the EU Commission.

Citizens and authorities were able to comment on the draft in advance. Over 70,000 people signed the statement of the regional alliance partners IG Metall, AG Schacht Konrad, Landvolk and the City of Salzgitter.

The aim remains to avert "Konrad". "But we have our foot in the door for now," the alliance partners are certain.