Exchange with Garching city council

14 members of all political groups of the Garching City Council and three city employees recently visited the TUM’s Research Neutron Source together with Mayor Dr. Dietmar Gruchmann. Lectures, a tour of the reactor and a snack afterwards provided plenty of opportunity for discussion.

News picture "Exchange with Garching city council" Members of the Garching City Council with Mayor Dietmar Gruchmann (right) and city employees have now visited the FRM II. © FRM II / TUM

Members of the Garching City Council with Mayor Dietmar Gruchmann (right) and city employees have now visited the FRM II. © FRM II / TUM

It has almost become a tradition: once every legislative period, the FRM II invites the Garching city councillors to take a tour and exchange information. Some of the councillors and staff had therefore already been on site three or four times, while others saw the research neutron source from the inside for the first time at the end of February.

Update on the central channel
In introductory presentations, Scientific Director Prof. Dr. Christian Pfleiderer and Technical Director Dr. Axel Pichlmaier gave an insight into current research topics as well as the safety of the facility, the upcoming replacement of the central channel and future removal of the fuel elements. Afterwards, the city councillors and city employees took a look inside the reactor pool and the halls with the scientific instruments.

First visit from a green city councillor
It was also the first time that a Garching Green councillor had ventured “into the lion’s den”, as Daniela Rieth, deputy leader of the Green Party, put it. “In the 21st century, we need people who enter into dialog with each other,” she said, explaining her decision to pay a visit to the neutron source despite her critical view of the FRM II. “I have experienced a great deal of openness and understanding here and think it is important that we remain in contact. However, I will continue to draw attention to safety-related issues in the future and focus my local political attention on the FRM II in terms of safety and legality. The operator has a duty to do everything in its power to ensure responsible research in the future as transparently as possible. “, said Daniela Rieth.

Questions about measuring stations
The Green city councillor had a number of critical questions from citizens in her luggage, which she asked those responsible to answer. Among other things, it was about a failed measuring station of the KFÜ remote reactor monitoring system. Axel Pichlmaier gave the all-clear: “All measuring stations under the responsibility of the FRM II are functional and in operation. The State Office for the Environment (LfU) operates other measuring stations, but only the LfU has access to their functionality.”

“Personal exchange is important”
The other Garching city councillors also took the opportunity to ask questions during the reactor tour and the subsequent snack. The safety systems of the FRM II were just as much in demand as the role of the FRM II as a scientific service facility in Europe and the world. In the end, everyone agreed: “Such a personal exchange is important and will be repeated soon,” said Mayor Gruchmann, summing up the positive mood.