The poll, which was taken before SKB announced its site selection on June 3, shows that support for a final repository increased somewhat in both of the municipalities where SKB has conducted site investigations. This year’s results are to be compared to those from the previous year. In Östhammar 79 percent of those who responded to the poll said that they were “for” or “totally for” the establishment of a final repository in their own municipality, which is an increase of 2 percent. In Oskarshamn the equivalent figure was an increase of one percent, for a total of 84 percent. In a nationwide poll, 41 percent responded likewise.
“We are, of course, very happy to see that local support for SKB and the issue have grown. Even if the poll was done prior to the recently announced site selection, it is a measure of how we and our work are perceived by those who are most closely affected by what we do,” says Carl Sommerholt, Communications Manager at SKB
A majority, more than 80 percent, of those who participated in the national survey as well as those from the two municipalities say that they want the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel to be solved by those who are alive today and not be left to future generations.
“SKB has now selected a site for the final repository of nuclear fuel and so our work is proceeding into a new phase. We will, however, continue to have operations in both of these municipalities for a long time to come. That’s why it is important for us to maintain and develop the confidence that residents of Oskarshamn and Östhammar have in us today, by continuing to focus on openness and dialogue,” concludes Carl Sommerholt.
Facts about the poll:
SKB has been conducting an annual opinion poll since 2003 that inquires about one’s opinion of having a possible final repository in one’s own municipality.
This year’s poll was conducted by Synovate between 21 April and 6 May, 2009, and consists of 800 interviews with residents of Oskarshamn and Östhammar. In addition, more than 1000 persons were interviewed nationwide.
More information:
Jimmy Larsson-Hagberg, Press Relations Manager, SKB, +46(0)8-459 84 83, +46(0)70-269 91 15
Jessica Alsenlid Otterstål, Press Officer, SKB, +46(0)8-459 85 27, +46(0)70-242 07 27