The Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) has selected Forsmark in the municipality of Östhammar for the repository for spent nuclear fuel. The choice was between Laxemar in Oskarshamn and Forsmark in Östhammar.
In 2002, SKB began to investigate the bedrock and groundwater in the two municipalities. During their work, SKB continually presented reports to us and to our predecessors, the SKI and SSI. We have reviewed the reports in detail and have also requested supplemental and/or more in-depth information where it has been needed. But before we have reviewed SKB’s license application, we cannot make a comment about the advantages or disadvantages of the selected method.
The authority does not hold any position on what site selection for the repository may mean for the municipality in terms of infrastructure, residences, or opportunities for employment.
Consultation with concerned parties
SKB is responsible to consult with those groups that will be affected by the final repository. It is intended that all who are affected should be given an opportunity to participate in the decisions that are reached. Examples of such groups are municipal and county residents, municipal and county politicians, municipal and county employees, and environmental and other interest groups. The SSM is also represented in these consultations.
History
At the start of the 1990s, SKB conducted feasibility studies of various sites in Sweden. The involved municipalities were Oskarshamn, Östhammar, Hultsfred, Tierp, Nyköping, Älvkarleby, Malå and Storuman. In Malå and in Storuman, residents voted against locating the final repository in their municipalities. Later, also residents in the municipalities of Tierp, Älvkarleby and Nyköping voted ”no”. SKB itself decided to discontinue considering Hultsfred. Only Oskarshamn and Östhammar remained.