Nord Stream Answers All Questions Raised During Public Referral
Sept. 30, 2009 | Zug | Nord Stream has today submitted answers to all the comments and questions raised during the public referral period to the Swedish Ministry of Enterprise.
A total of 52 referral bodies, including authorities and NGOs, who were invited by the Ministry of Enterprise to scrutinise Nord Stream’s permit application had submitted their final comments on the project application during spring and summer of 2009. All of their comments and questions have been addressed by Nord Stream.
“We have noted that only a few new issues have been raised during the public consultation process. It is satisfying to note that most of the comments received have been addressed and answered in the previously submitted application documents,” says Lars O Grönstedt, Senior Management Advisor to Nord Stream. In addition, Nord Stream has sent additional background material to some referral authorities in order to answer new issues, including questions relating to effects on sea currents, where the estimated potential effects are minor.
However, the scrutiny of the referral bodies represents an important milestone for the project and Nord Stream is pleased to submit these answers. “We are hoping that the government considers that they have received all the required material in order to take a permit decision”, continues Lars O Grönstedt.
In addition to the answers submitted to the Ministry of Enterprise, Nord Stream has also filed an Executive Project Summary. The summary highlights the contribution the Nord Stream Pipeline, along with other major planned pipeline projects, will make to countering impending undersupply in European gas markets, and in meeting the future energy demand of consumers and businesses in Europe. The summary also provides an overview of the extensive studies of the Baltic Sea environment which forms the basis for the proposed route of the pipeline.
