Strong local support for final repository
Local support in favour of a final repository for spent nuclear fuel in one’s own municipality has increased somewhat in both Oskarshamn and Östhammar. This is shown by the annual public opinion poll that was conducted by Synovate on behalf of SKB.
SKB selects Forsmark for the final repository for spent nuclear fuel
Press release, June 3 2009.
Host for Nuclear Fuel Repository
“I’m really happy about the decision, but also humbled by the task of being the municipality in which Swedish nuclear fuel will finally be disposed of.”
This was how Jacob Spangenberg, Chairman of the Municipal board of Östhammar, commented the announcement that SKB had selected Forsmark as the preferred site for the Nuclear Fuel Repository.
Continuing cooperation with two municipalities
SKB will construct the final repository for spent nuclear fuel in Östhammar. But this does not mean that cooperation with Oskarshamn will come to an end. The latter will also receive the greater part of the added value investments in industrial and trade developments, for example.
Nuclear fuel repository to be running by 2023
Assuming that there are no delays or obstacles along the way, the Nuclear Fuel Repository in Östhammar will be ready to begin operations in 2023. Work to construct deposition tunnels, where spent nuclear fuel will be safely stored for a very long time, will then be in progress some 500 metres below offices, workshops and woodlands.
International cooperation and control
Spent nuclear fuel is to be disposed of in deep geological respositories that consist of several barriers. While there is broad international consensus on this principle, approaches vary.