Sweden shows leadership, environmental stewardship with DGR decision, says NWMO official

To the Editor:

At the end of January, the Swedish government decided to green-light the country’s Deep Geological Repository (DGR) and take responsibility for used nuclear fuel. The federal approval will allow the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) to proceed with building a repository deep underground at Forsmark in the Municipality of Östhammar.

Sweden’s minister of climate and environment, Annika Strandhäll, was clear in her announcement that this was the responsible decision: “The technology and capacity are there. It is irresponsible to leave nuclear waste in water basins year-after-year without a decision. We must not hand over the responsibility to our children and grandchildren.”

This decision demonstrates the continued international, scientific consensus that a DGR is the best solution for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. Similar to Canada’s plan for used nuclear fuel, the Swedish government took a community-driven approach to siting the country’s repository. The process took years to build relationships, learn more about the project, and why a DGR makes sense to protect people and the environment for a very long time.

Seeking the community’s social licence as a path instead of the traditional regulatory process is something new and is not always easy. It requires kindness, patience and empathy. It requires project proponents to stop and listen, co-design, answer open and honestly. Canada, along with Sweden and many other nuclear countries around the world, are breaking new ground, both figuratively and literally.

In September of 2021, we were fortunate to have the mayor of Östhammar, Jacob Spangenberg, and SKB’s former vice-president, Saida Laârouchi Engström, speak to the South Bruce Community Liaison Committee. Together, they lauded the importance of openness, transparency and of showing the benefits of hosting the project for the community and the country, as a whole.

In South Bruce, this is why we continue to engage with the siting area communities, demonstrate the science behind a DGR and how hosting the project will result in real tangible benefits to the community. We’re talking about high-value jobs for generations, improved infrastructure and support for community services on par with existing thriving communities in Bruce County.

Should South Bruce be selected as the preferred location, we will welcome the world (a few at a time!) to the Centre of Expertise. This will be a national and international tourism attraction and will showcase leading science, innovation and excellence.

What’s more - what is priceless - is that the community will make history and pioneer a path of responsible environment stewardship and community-driven development.

We congratulate the Municipality of Östhammar, Sweden and SKB on reaching such an important milestone. Your leadership is seen around the world and it is encouraging to see our international counterparts moving forward with their plans. We look forward to continuing to share knowledge and learn from their experiences as their project advances to the next step. While our path will see challenges, it is always nice to know, we’re not alone.

If Sweden can do it, we can too.

Tareq Al-Zabet
Director of site selection – South Bruce
Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)