The project failed because of bitter and ultimately effective opposition from the local population and because it became a cause célèbre for environmentalist pressure groups in Switzerland and across German speaking central Europe more generally.

[1] The local energy generation company, Motor-Columbus, designed the Kaiseraugst Nuclear Power Plant in response to growing electricity consumption in Switzerland.

In order to cover the perceived power generation shortfall as quickly as possible, attempts were made to accelerate the planning and authorization phases of the project.

The court held that the constitutional position and the relevant legislation left the federal (i.e. national) state as the sole authorizing body in this case.

The force of the explosion also lifted into the air an Audi, parked nearby and belonging to Michael Kohn, president of Kernkraftwerke Gösgen AG and initiator of the power plant construction.

Finally all the prerequisites were put in place for a comprehensive Emergency Plan, having regard to the Basel region's seismic record.