Opponents are mobilizing against the geothermal project in the Jura

Opposition to the geothermal project in Haute-Sorne JU continues. The “Citoyens Responsables Jura” association demanded that the pilot project be stopped immediately. This is an announced catastrophe for the population and future generations.

The region is threatened with disaster, the association claimed in the media in Bassecourt JU on Tuesday. The planned deep drilling endangers groundwater and water supplies, can cause earthquakes and pose radioactive hazards. In addition, the project is not sustainable.

That is not an exaggeration, said Jack Aubry on behalf of the association. The drilling is pointless and a misleading maneuver to explore the subsoil. It was already one minute after midnight and the exercises were done, said the organization, which had opposed the project for a decade.

In the Haute-Sorne pilot project, the Canton of Jura, Geo-Energie Suisse (GES) and Geo-Energie Jura want to use geothermal energy to produce electricity and heat for approximately 6,000 households using stimulated geothermal systems.

The cantonal government assured last year that the safety of the population was a priority. There are additional safety requirements, increased seismic monitoring and project support from independent experts. Exploratory drilling to a depth of five kilometers is planned for 2024.

(jam/sda)