Experiences from TVO's communication programme on the siting of spent fuel

In parallel with the field investigations of three sites, TVO has a specific information project aiming at public acceptance of HLW disposal in Finland. The site for final disposal will be selected by the year 2000. Prerequisites are that the local council accepts the facility, and that there is political acceptance of final disposal in the government and in Parliament. TVO's experience with communications programmes concerning the siting of the spent fuel disposal facility is discussed. Much experience was gained from the 1987-92 information programme. Another programme was organised for the period 1993-96 to back up site investigations, development of technology and safety studies, anti to pave the way for information activities in the years 1997-2000. The results of a study carried out at Jyvaskyla University on TVO's waste information in the candidate areas will provide useful information on attitudes about nuclear waste management in Finland. The issue of communication with local opponents, and strategies to assist in lessening their impact is discussed. It should be noted that in 1995 an amendment to the Finnish Nuclear Energy Act became effective that prohibits the transportation of Loviisa spent fuel from Finland to Russia after 1996, and thus reinforces the moral argument.