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Home > Press > Year 2010 > Press Release 16 as of 10/13/2010
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Press Release 16 as of 2010/10/13
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König: We must show an early interest in questions of radiation protection when expanding the electricity grid
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Expansion of the grid must be planned together with the people affected
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The rapid expansion of the power supply system is the prerequisite for fulfilling the Federal government’s ambitious objective to meet 80% of the electricity need in Germany with renewable energies by 2050. In this, attention must be paid to questions of radiation protection from the start. This was emphasised by Wolfram König, President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) today during the presentation of his office’s annual report (in German only) in Salzgitter.
“It is of key importance for a modern supply of energy to modernize and expand the electricity grid.“, said König. However, the people affected must be included in the planning from early on and must not be presented with a fait accompli. “The citizens should be part of an electricity grid’s planning process and must be clearly informed about its advantages, but also about scientific uncertainties.” This is the only way to build trust in the safety assessment and create the necessary acceptance of the electricity grid’s expansion. At the moment, the construction of new electrical power lines leads to concerns that the new power lines will mean radiation exposure with negative health effects.
In a new study, summarised in its annual report, the BfS investigated the electric and magnetic radiation exposure emanating from electrical power lines. The research shows that the highest level of exposure occurs in the immediate vicinity of the electrical power lines and then decreases rapidly. According to current scientific knowledge, there is no need to be concerned about harmful health effects below the limit value of electric fields of overhead power lines. A further scientific research need exists into the assessment of health effects of magnetising forces on children in residential buildings. König: “Electrical power lines should - in terms of radiation protection - be planned in such a way that they do not lead to additional radiation exposure.” For instance, new lines should not pass through residential areas. If this cannot be avoided, measures suitable to the respective situation should be taken to minimise radiation exposure. This can, for example, be accomplished through the installation of underground cables or constructional modifications of overhead cables.
When building new electrical power lines, lessons from the past must be learned. The expansion of the mobile communication network caused some major uncertainties and should be taken as a warning. People are sensible of health hazards, which - although they are often scientifically unfounded - can lead to significant opposition, time delays and cost increase. “When aspiring to a future proof electricity grid, one needs to deal in good time with the concerns and questions of the people affected“, states the President of the BfS.
In terms of civic participation, König referred to the BfS’ experiences with the redevelopment of the Asse mine, which is a main emphasis in the annual report published today. With the Asse, the BfS introduced a form of citizen information and civic participation, which improves the trust into the actions of state institutions.
A copy of the BFS annual report can be ordered for free from the BfS or is available on the internet as a PDF File (in German only).
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