PR:Is the information about the Bukov Underground Research Laboratory so problematic that Repository Authority keeps it secret? Calla defends itself by filing a lawsuit against RAWRA

=> CZECH version of this press release

Press release of October 9, 2017 http://calla.cz/index.php?path=hl_stranka/tiskovky/2017&php=tz171009.php

Calla defends itself by filing a lawsuit against RAWRA
'''Calla has decided to file a lawsuit in order to get access to a major technical and economic study on the realization of the research program of the Bukov Underground Research Laboratory (Bukov URL) in the former uranium mines in the Vysočina Region, which should prove the suitability of the site for research activities connected to a deep geological repository. In violation of the Act on Free Access to Information, the Radioactive Waste Repository Authority (RAWRA) refused to provide the study and the opponent's reports and its decision on the appeal was confirmed by the Director of RAWRA .'''

The government has decided about preparation of the required study after doubts about the meaningfulness of the project have arisen. The geological structure of the Bukov URL differs significantly from the others potential sites chosen for the repository in the Czech Republic. In addition, the rock environment in PVP Bukov is very complicated, disturbed, so the underground laboratory project had to be changed twice in a short period of time because of serious difficulties during the excavation.

However, the question marks also arise over the legality of the decision on the construction of the already completed Bukov URL. THe cost in contract for works between RAWRA and state enterprise DIAMO acting as a supplier, which surged to 107 million Czech crowns, was signed in May 2013, without the decision of the government that is competent to do that. In December 2016, on the proposal of the then Minister of Industry and Trade Mládek, the government decided to grant another 313 million crowns from the nuclear account without a tender for DIAMO to ensure the operation of URL Bukov until 2019.

And other items that are gradually withdrawn from the Nuclear Account in favor of Bukov URL are multiplying. The total costs of public funds for construction, operation and research by 2030 should be around CZK 1.8 billion. Afterwards, an underground laboratory should be constructed at a site selected for future repository, and the experiments should be carried out in real rock conditions once again. Edvard Sequens, Energy Consultant of Calla – Association for Preservation of the Environment, said:"Content of the study on Bukov's research program must be „explosive“ when the Repository Authority has decided to remove the transparency mask because of it. However, I believe that the public will be able to get acquainted with the study."

Pavel Doucha, partner of law firm Doucha Šikola Advocates Ltd., added:"Reasons for failing to provide a study that were reported by the Repository Authority - a reference to the copyright law, and that it is merely background information for further decision-making - are purposeful and have no support in the law. We are convinced that the court will agree with us."

 Further information can be provided by: 
 * Ing. Edvard Sequens, Calla – Association for Preservation of the Environment, email: [mailto:edvardDOTsequensATcallaDOTcz edvard DOT sequens AT calla DOT cz], tel.: +420 602 282 399
 * Mgr. Pavel Doucha, partner of law firm Doucha Šikola Advocates Ltd., email: [mailto:douchaaATdsadvokatiDOTcz doucha AT dsadvokati DOT cz], tel.: +420 608 873 437

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