There is strong public opinion in Östhammar in favour of a final repository for spent nuclear fuel in the municipality. The construction and operation of the Nuclear Fuel Repository are expected to cost SEK 24 billion and provide long-term investments and work opportunities in the region. There are already several nuclear technology facilities in the municipality: the Forsmark Nuclear Power Plant and the Final Repository for short-lived radioactive waste (SFR).
Jacob Spangenberg points out that many people in the municipality are positive to SKB’s decision, but that there are also those who are sceptical to a final repository in their area.
“We have an important task to supervise and inspect the ongoing work, and see to it that citizens and elected representatives in the municipality receive sufficient information and remain committed to the matter.”
Municipal veto
It is the Swedish government that ultimately grants SKB permission to build a final repository, but the municipality has the right to veto the placement of the facility.
“I trust SKB, but above all I have confidence in the review of SKB’s programme by the authorities. When the authorities have agreed, it will be our turn to examine and scrutinize, together with experts, the details,” says Jacob Spangenberg.
Östhammar has cooperated with SKB as well as with the municipality of Oskarshamn, which was SKB’s alternative site for the Nuclear Fuel Repository in Forsmark.
“Cooperation with SKB and Oskarshamn has been open and trusting, and will continue. Our entire nuclear waste management programme is connected,” says Jacob Spangenberg.
Respect for safety
Peter Wretlund, Chairman of the Municipal board of Oskarshamn, believes that the initial reaction of many residents of the municipality, as well as his own, to the announcement that Småland was not the preferred site for this big project was a source of disappointment.
“But it was long-term safety that determined the site, which is a consideration I deeply respect. We have the rock we have, and there’s not much more to say about that.”
Oskarshamn will continue to be an important municipality when it comes to nuclear technology and will continue to take major responsibility in national interests to solve Swedish nuclear waste issues.
Basically everything in the nuclear waste chain prior to the final repository itself will be take place in Oskarshamn. The interim storage facility, Clab, where spent nuclear fuel is stored before it is finally disposed of, is located in Oskarshamn. SKB also wants to build the encapsulation plant, where fuel is sealed in copper canisters before it is disposed of in the rock, in Oskarshamn. There are plans to build a canister manufacturing facility in Oskarshamn.