German group seeks injunction to block Rosatom's role in fuel project

Oct 6 (Reuters) — German environmental organisation BUND said on Tuesday that it plans to ask a court to stop the planned expansion of a nuclear fuel fabrication plant that would allow cooperation with Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom. • BUND said it would seek an emergency injunction to prevent the project from proceeding while its lawsuit against Lower Saxony, the state that initially granted approval for the expansion, is considered by the courts. • The group said it had serious doubts about the legality of the environmental impact assessment underpinning the approval by the state.

ausgestrahlt, which is collaborating with BUND on the case, warned that Rosatom could establish a foothold in Germany before the courts reach a final decision. • Located in northwestern Germany, the Lingen fuel fabrication plant is one of the country's last remaining facilities linked to the nuclear fuel cycle. • The case could become a test of Berlin's willingness and ability to keep Russian state-backed companies out of strategically sensitive parts of its energy sector. • ANF-Framatome, Rosatom, as well as the federal and state environment ministries, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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