The EIA Procedure for the Repository Extension

In early 2008, Posiva initiated EIA procedure for a potential extension of the repository with a capacity of 3,000 tons of uranium. This new environmental impact assessment report was enclosed with an application for the decision-in-principle concerning the final disposal of the spent nuclear fuel from Fortum's Loviisa 3 plant unit.

The EIA procedure was initiated with the drafting of an environmental impact assessment programme (EIA programme). The EIA programme is a written plan indicating what kind of environmental impacts will be accounted for, how the EIA procedure will be organised and what kind of studies are necessary.

Posiva submitted the EIA programme to the coordinating authority at the Ministry of Employment and the Economy on 13 May 2008. The Ministry requested statements from the municipalities within the project's impact area, as well as from several authorities. Citizens and various corporations also had a chance to express their opinions about the programme. On the basis of these statements and opinions, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy finally issued its own statement on the EIA programme.

An environmental impact assessment report (an EIA report) was then drafted on the basis of the EIA programme and the associated statements. The EIA report was submitted to the Ministry of Employment and the Economy on 31 October 2008.

The Ministry of Employment and the Economy announced the project in public and started the period for public hearing on 10 November 2008. During the public hearing period citizens and organisations could give comments on the report. A public cathering was also organised on 20 November 2008 and public hearing ended on 12 January 2009. The Ministry of Employment and the Economy gave its own statement at March 2009 and Posiva gave the asked further clarifications at April 2009.