TRAS

Two weeks ago, Red Baron attended a meeting of the Trinationaler Atomschutzverband (Trinational Nuclear Protection Association) at Freiburg's new town hall.

What is TRAS? Here is a translation of the German text:

TRAS represents the interests and rights of those affected by nuclear risks in Germany, France, and Switzerland.

TRAS represents municipalities, local communities, districts, legal entities, and private individuals.

TRAS is committed to the Swiss nuclear phase-out as decided by the Federal Council in 2011 (decommissioning of the last plant in 2034).

TRAS opposes a timely extension of the operation of the nuclear power plants in Beznau, Gösgen, and Leibstadt.

Christine Buchheit, Freiburg's Environmental Mayor, greeted the participants.

The first talk: Nuclear Power in Switzerland, Quo Vadis?

Four nuclear power plants (NPP) are still in operation in Switzerland. The reactors have an unlimited operating license if they are "safe." The decision about their safety lies exclusively within the competence of the Swiss supervisory authority. Note that Beznau 1 is the oldest reactor in the world.

1. The Swiss Nuclear Dossier envisages the long-term operation of the four power reactors. 

Cost of green power vs. nuclear power

2. However, there are problems with financing. Cheap nuclear energy is a fairy tale.

Stop the Blackout and lift the ban on the new construction of NPPs.

3. There is a people's initiative* to build new reactors. 

*Read more about the Swiss democratic system here

4. The nuclear waste problem still needs to be solved. Red Baron reported.

The successful German nuclear phase-out and the ongoing threat of Swiss NPPs.

Indeed, the amount of electricity in Germany generated by wind energy during the first half of 2024 is impressive.

According to the speaker, the steel of Beznau's 1 reactor vessel has become highly brittle due to the neutron bombardment and could burst at any time. In an emergency, the necessary "cooling" water will be heated to 30 °C to diminish thermal shock and, thus, hopefully, prevent the vessel from bursting.

When Germany phased out its nuclear power plants, there was much criticism. Now, supporters of nuclear energy have spread fake news that all surrounding European countries are building new nuclear power plants.

While the first two talks were clear in their objectives and coherent in their argumentation, already the title of the third lecture was provocative: Weak Radiation, Hard Facts.

Initially, Prof. Böcking presented some well-known historical facts but soon stressed the particular danger of the smallest radiation doses. Recently, Red Baron explained the present state of scientific knowledge on radiation effects in a blog about LNT. 

Why is radiation from nuclear power plants written in red on Prof. Böcking's slide? At the aperitif that concluded the event, Red Baron spoke with attendees, one of whom cited neutron radiation as being particularly effective radiobiologically. Correct, but neutrons are not detectable outside a heavily shielded reactor core. Is "artificial" radioactivity generated in a reactor and released in minimal quantities into the environment more dangerous than natural terrestrial radioactivity? 

The lecturer finally slipped entirely into polemics, garnishing one slide on the effects of radiation with a picture of a deformed child.

This dumbing down of the listeners made me angry. My excited finger flew up, and I was the first to speak in the general discussion. It turned out that radiation effects were, and I have to say thank God, not the topic that interested the moderator and the audience. 

Instead, the discussion leader was expecting comments from Freiburg citizens who felt endangered by the operation of the overaged nuclear power plants in Switzerland. 

The fact is that with the shutdown of the Fessenheim power plant, the nuclear threat from France is discarded for Freiburg. Now, TRAS wants to stigmatize the Swiss reactors as a radioactive specter in my hometown.

The "endangered inhabitants" of southwest Germany should be harnessed to the cart of TRAS, exerting pressure on the Federal Authorities in Switzerland to shut down those old nuclear power plants. Should we add to the existing quarrels with our neighbors, as there are flight paths over German territory toward Zurich or the planned Swiss nuclear depository near the German border, i.e., Baden?

After all, significant concerns, such as the climate crisis, immigration, war in Europe, possible new pandemics, and high energy costs, fully occupy the people of Germany. 

It is questionable whether it will be possible to activate the Baden population in the same way as in the case of Fessenheim. 

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