On March 16, SKB's applications for a permit to build a final repository system were submitted to the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) and the Environmental Court in Stockholm. The company is applying for a permit to build a nuclear fuel repository in Forsmark and an encapsulation plant in Oskarshamn (where spent nuclear fuel will be placed in copper canisters). SKB also has to apply for a new permit for the Interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel (Clab) in accordance with Sweden's Environmental Code.
The main task of the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority is to decide whether the facilities comply with the Swedish Nuclear Activities Act with regard to their nuclear safety and radiation protection. An important part of these applications is the safety analysis report describing safety procedures during operation of the Nuclear Fuel Repository and its long-term safety after the repository has been closed and sealed.
Limited environmental impact
The Environmental Court will review the applications on the basis of Sweden's Environmental Code. The Court will be reviewing an important section of the application called the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which describes the overall environmental impact of the entire final repository system for spent nuclear fuel.
The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority and Environmental Court will both circulate the applications on a broad front for review and comments, seek the opinions of experts, and could also request SKB to provide additional information. The authorities reviewing the applications will then submit their respective opinions to the Swedish government.
If the government approves the applications – after the concerned municipalities grant their approval – the matter will be submitted again to the Environmental Court, which will determine the terms and conditions regulating the operations of the facilities.
In the best case scenario, construction of the Spent Fuel Repository and encapsulation plant will officially start in 2017. During the entire process, SKB will continue its research and technology development activities in order to enhance expertise and refine methods.
In the application, SKB's central conclusion is that the final repository system complies with the risk criteria of the authorities when it comes to protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of the spent nuclear fuel in both the short and long term. Another conclusion is that the environmental impact will be limited due to measures that SKB will implement to prevent and limit damage.