| 2009 |
Phase I |
Phase II |
Phase III |
| SKB selects site |
At the start of the second half of 2010, SKB plans to submit license applications for construction of a final repository. In the applications, method and site will be described. The SSM and the Environmental Court will review the applications. |
The SSM will file its report/findings in light of the Act on Nuclear Activities to the Government. The Environmental Court will file its report/findings in light of the Environmental Code to the Government. |
The Government will make a decision about the final repository. |
What is a license application?
Any party seeking to construct a final repository for spent nuclear fuel – in this case the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Company (SKB) – must apply for a license from the Government. SKB plans to submit a total of three applications, namely:
- Application according to the Act on Nuclear Activities for Clab (the central interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel) and encapsulation facility in Oskarshamn (submitted in November, 2006).
- Application according to the Act on Nuclear Activities for a final repository, including site and method (to be submitted during 2010).
- Application according to the Environmental Code for the entire final repository system (Clab, encapsulation facility and final repository) (to be submitted during 2010).
The SSM is commissioned by the Government to review SKB’s application in light of current legislation and regulations. SSM will file a report of findings to the Government. Within the report, SSM is to suggest that the Government either grant or deny approval of SKB’s application.
License application reviewed by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority and the Environmental Court
The SSM will review SKB’s site and method and evaluate whether or not regulatory requirements regarding nuclear safety and radiation protection have been met. In support of our review work we will use external international experts, in addition to our own qualified staff.
Simultaneous with our review, the Environmental Court conducts a review of SKB’s application in light of the Environmental Code. SSM’s review statement will provide an important input to the Environmental Court. When the Environmental Court has completed its review, it will file its own findings with the Government.
The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority’s regulations
The SSM places stringent requirements upon the design of the final repository, that it safe for both people and the environment. The repository should be constructed so that the annual risk for harm from the repository does not exceed one per million during the first 100 000 years after the sealing of the repository. The dose that this level of risk represents corresponds to a fraction of naturally occurring background radiation. We also place demands on the organisation that will design and operate the final repository.