MEE's statement concludes the EIA procedure
Fennovoima's Environmental Impact Assesment procedure was concluded on February 20th, 2009 when the Ministry of Employment and Economy gave its final statement.
The Ministry stated that the EIA report meets the content requirements set in the legislation and has been handled in the manner required under the regulations in force. The procedure first started on January 30th, 2008 when Fennovoima submitted an Environmental Impact Assesment program to the Ministry.
The Environmental Impact Assesment report was submitted on October 9th, 2008 to the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. The report contains an assesment of the environmental impact at three alternative location sites of the Fennovoima nuclear power plant throughout its entire lifecycle. Fennovoima assigned implementation of the EIA process to Pöyry Energy.
| In its conclusion to the report Fennovoima states that the project does not involve at any of the location sites such hazardous environmental impacts that would prevent its implementation. Fennovoima is therefore continuing project preparation at all three location sites. |
The complete EIA Report can be found here and international summaries here.
What is EIA?
The Environmental Impact Assessment is an integral part of Fennovoima’s nuclear power plant project. EIA is a process where a project’s direct and indirect impact on, for example, human health, soil, social structures and on exploitation of natural resources are evaluated. The Environmental Impact Assessment is made for projects that may considerably influence the environment. These projects are specified by law. Nuclear power plant construction is among these specified projects.
The goal of the Environmental Impact Assessment is to reduce or weaken the negative consequences of a planned project and strengthen the positive ones. It also offers a way to increase citizen’s access to information and opportunities to participate.
It is very important to Fennovoima that the site selection is based on the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment. The site must meet the prerequisites and criteria for a nuclear power plant. EIA is completed in both Pyhäjoki and Simo. This assessment was conducted in cooperation among Fennovoima, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy and Regional Environment Centers.
