Year 2008
EIA report on the extension of Posiva Oy's repository for spent nuclear fuel submitted to the Ministry of Employment and the Economy
Today, 31 October 2008, Posiva Oy has submitted, to the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, the environmental impact assessment report (EIA report) regarding the extension of the final disposal repository for spent nuclear fuel, planned for Olkiluoto in Eurajoki.
The Ministry of Employment and the Economy, acting as the contact authority for the project's environmental impact assessment, will circulate the assessment report.
Several ministries and certain other authorities and organisations will be invited to comment on the report. Moreover, the Ministry will provide information on the hearing process in more detail and on a separate basis in newspapers and on the official notice boards of the localities involved in the assessment. The general public will also have the opportunity to participate in the hearing by submitting comments and opinions on the project.
In May and July 2008, a similar comment and hearing procedure was organised during the previous phase of the EIA process, regarding the environmental impact assessment programme.
On the basis of the EIA report and subsequent comments, the Ministry will prepare its final statement concluding the EIA process, which is expected to be completed in the next four months.
The company planning the extension to the final disposal facilities must enclose the EIA report as part of the potential application for a decision-in-principle in accordance with the Nuclear Energy Act. If the Government considers the project to be in line with the overall good of society and makes a positive decision-in-principle on it, the matter will proceed for consideration by Parliament, which will either confirm or overrule the Government’s positive decision-in-principle.
Nuclear plant projects under preparation in Finland
In April 2008, Posiva Oy submitted an application for a decision-in-principle on the extension of the final disposal repository to accommodate for the fuel from Olkiluoto 4 plant unit. The EIA procedure for this project was implemented in 1998–99.
In April 2008, Teollisuuden Voima Oyj submitted an application for a decision-in-principle on the fourth plant unit in Olkiluoto. The EIA procedure concerning the project ended in 2008.
The EIA procedure concerning Fennovoima Oy’s nuclear power plant project is underway. The company submitted the EIA report in October 2008, and the Ministry's statement on it is expected to be completed in the next four months.
Fortum Power and Heat Oy, in turn, has conducted the EIA procedure on a third plant unit in Loviisa, completed in August 2008.
Further information:
Jaana Avolahti, Senior Adviser, MEE, tel. +358 10 606 4836
Anne Väätäinen, Senior Adviser, MEE, tel. +358 10 606 4978
