RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

22 Social science research
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must be appended to the applications for a permit
to build the encapsulation plant and the final repository for spent nuclear fuel. The EIS
must contain descriptions of the environmental impact and effects of the planned facilities
and activities. The EIS must also contain descriptions of projected consequences for the
environment, the landscape, human health and society. In order to be able to present a broad
and complete account of societal aspects together with the permit application, SKB intends to
conduct and fund social science research.
In the eight feasibility studies carried out by SKB between 1993 and 2000, considerable interest
was devoted to societal aspects /22-1 to 22-11/. The feasibility study reports contain descriptions
and analyses of population development, the business sector, psychosocial aspects, labour
market, municipal activities and economy, transport and communications, tourism, property
values, etc. The reports contain forecasts and evaluations of the socioeconomic development of
the municipality and the region, both with and without the establishment of a deep repository.
Conclusions in RD&D 2001 and its review
The social sciences and SKB’s research in the field since the early 1990s were not discussed
in RD&D 2001. The reviewing bodies offered viewpoints on how societal issues should be
studied, primarily decision processes, EIA (environmental impact assessment) and psychosocial
issues. A number of municipalities, universities and interest organizations wanted the RD&D
programme’s technical and scientific focus to be broadened to include a social science aspect
with research on e.g. attitudes, decision making in complex societal issues, and long-term social
development. This has also been SKB’s intention, and the planning was actually begun even
before RD&D 2001 but was never included in the report, since the programme was in a very
early stage of surveying and planning.
Newfound knowledge since RD&D 2001
During 2003, in preparation for the research programme, SKB surveyed all important research
relating to the waste issue that had been done in Sweden, as well as the most important international
research. The results of the survey have been compiled in a searchable database of
400 records accessible to the public. The two social science research seminars that have been
held with scientists and concerned municipalities during 2002 and 2003 have also been an
important part of SKB’s preparatory work.
The purpose of the social science research supported by SKB should be to:
• Get a broader perspective on the societal aspects of the nuclear fuel programme. This will
facilitate evaluation and assessment of the programme in a larger context.
• Provide deeper knowledge and a better body of data as a basis for site- and project-related
studies and analyses. The results of the social science research will thereby provide a sounder
basis for decisions and the EIS.
• Contribute data and analyses for research on the societal aspects of large industrial and
infrastructure projects. In this way, experience gained from the nuclear fuel programme can
benefit other similar projects.
With these goals in mind, four general areas of research emerge as being relevant for the waste
issue and the municipalities:
• Socioeconomic impact.
• Decision processes.
RD&D-Programme 2004 301