What is a Decision-in-Principle and How Do You Apply It?

A decision-in-principle taken by the Government means a decision to the effect that something is in the overall interest of society. A decision-in-principle is applied for by submitting an application to the Government. For the discussion on the application for the decision-in-principle, the Ministry for Employment and the Economy requests statements from the council of the municipality in which the planned repository is to be located, from the neighbouring municipalities, and from other institutions such as the Ministry of Environment. In addition, the Ministry acquires a preliminary safety assessment on the project from the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority.

 

Before a decision-in-principle can be made, the applicant must publish an overall description of the planned project, the environmental impact it is expected to have, and of its safety, and make the description generally available to the public. An EIA report must also be enclosed with the application for the decision-in-principle.

 

Before the decision-in-principle is made, the Ministry shall arrange a public gathering in the municipality in which the planned site of the facility is located and during this gathering the public shall have the opportunity to give their opinions. These opinions shall be made known to the Government.

 

The Government discusses the possibility of granting the decision-in-principle. A supporting statement from the municipality in which the planned nuclear facility is to be located is an essential prerequisite for a positive decision-in-principle.

 

The Government decision-in-principle shall be forwarded to the Parliament for ratification. The Parliament may reject the decision-in-principle as such or may decide that it remains in force as such, but is not allowed to revise its contents.

 

Prior to the entry into force of the decision-in-principle, the applicant shall not enter into any financially significant procurement agreements relating to the construction of the facility.