The consultations in accordance with the Espoo Convention should focus on activities or measures that are likely to have a significant environmental impact in another country. The only possible activities or measures that might have an impact in other countries are related to release of radionuclides from the final repository. The consultations will therefore focus on the long-term safety for the final repository.
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has, according to the Espoo Convention, sent an enquiry to the countries around the Baltic Sea regarding the interest to participate in consultations about the encapsulation plant and the final repository for spent nuclear fuel. Five countries expressed their interest in being part of a consultation procedure for Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
For the purposes of consultation, the EPA sent out (February 11, 2008) a proposed table of contents for the forthcoming EIS on the final repository system and extracts from the SR-Can Safety Analysis. The consultation was concluded in June 2008. Finland, Lithuania, Poland and Germany submitted their views. No viewpoints were received
from Russia.
A second written consultation will be carried out when SKB has filed applications for the final repository system. The focus will be on the SR-Site Safety Analysis and the summary of the Environmental Impact Statement.