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 above two municipalities. During its work, SKB continually submits reports to the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) and our predecessors, SKI and SSI. The Authority reviews these reports in detail and requests supplemental and/or more in-depth information when necessary. However, before we have reviewed SKB’s licence application, we cannot comment on any advantages or disadvantages of the selected method.
The Authority does not have any standpoint on what site selection for the repository might mean for the municipality in terms of infrastructure, housing or employment opportunities.
Consultation with the parties concerned
SKB is responsible for consulting with groups that will be affected by the final repository. The intention is that all parties affected are to have an opportunity to participate in decision-making. Examples of this kind of group include municipal and county residents, municipal and county politicians, municipal and county employees, as well as environmental and other special interest groups. SSM is also represented in such consultation.
History
In the early 1990s, SKB conducted feasibility studies of various sites in Sweden. The municipalities involved 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, residents of the municipalities of Tierp, Älvkarleby and Nyköping also voted 'no'. SKB decided on its own to discontinue considering Hultsfred. This meant that only the municipalities of Oskarshamn and Östhammar remained.