Germany announced the search for a site for an underground dump for high-grade nuclear waste, after frequent riots at the existing planned site, Gorleben.

For 35 years, miners have been digging in a salt formation at Gorleben, northern Germany. Engineers say massive formations of rock salt or pure clay are the best places to dump used nuclear fuel, because they are very dry.

Meanwhile, shipping containers of waste have accumulated in sheds above ground as the government in Berlin agonizes over whether it is safe to use the storage hole.

Environment Minister Norbert Roettgen met officials from the 16 states and said drafting of a law setting out the procedures to reselect a site would begin soon. Engineering work at Gorleben will continue. No other sites for a shortlist have been named yet.

Germany decided in summer to abandon all nuclear power generation by 2022.

Officials are to draft a plan by next summer on how to mould a national consensus on the issue, and Gorleben may emerge as Germany's choice after all.

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1674628.php/Germany-to-restart-search-for-nuclear-waste-site-after-riots