Nuclear operations require permits in accordance with the Swedish Environmental Code and Nuclear Activities Act. Both laws require that the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB), on behalf of the operator, reports the planned operations. The Nuclear Activities Act states that this report must address radiation protection and short and long-term nuclear safety. The Environmental Code specifically requires a description of the potential impact of the planned operations on human beings and the environment. Operations in this context refer to the planned facilities and the expansion of the final repository for radioactive operational waste. The impact assessment describes how these operations can be restricted or compensated if necessary and appropriate. The Nuclear Activities Act requires an equivalent impact assessment.
Environmental Impact Assessment and Consultation
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)is drawn up by the operator in consultation with authorities, municipalities, organisations, the general public and individuals who will be affected.
The consultations regarding the final repository and the encapsulation facility for the spent nuclear fuel were initiated in 2002 and will continue until all the permit applications have been submitted. On 8 November 2006 SKB submitted an application for a permit in accordance with the Nuclear Activities Act for the encapsulation facility and for the Central Interim Storage Facility for Spent Nuclear Fuel (Clab). SKB is planning on submitting the equivalent application for the final repository in 2010. SKB is simultaneously planning to apply for a permit in accordance with the Environmental Code for the final disposal system, including the Clab, encapsulation facility and the final repository.
Consultation in accordance with the Continental Shelf Act regarding the investigations of bedrock in preparation for the expansion of the final repository for radioactive operational waste in Forsmark took place in December 2007. The EIA work and consultation in preparation for the applications for the actual expansion will start in 2010.