Nord Stream receives Baltic Sea pipeline environmental impact assessment

Offshore staff

ZUG, Switzerland -- Nord Stream has received a national environmental impact assessment for its proposed Baltic Sea gas pipeline from the Uusimaa Environment Centre.

The objective of the EIA process was to assess the environmental effects of the project to ensure that environmental impact is taken into account in planning the project as well as in the Finnish authorities’ decision-making process. The EIA process also provided the public with information and the opportunity to participate in the process.

The statement issued by the coordinating authority, the Uusimaa Environment Centre (Uusimaa ympäristökeskus), confirms that the participation arrangements were sufficient and met the requirements of the Finnish EIA law.

The EIA report and the Uusimaa Environment Centre’s statement will be considered when the Finnish permits are to be decided. Nord Stream requires an EEZ permit from the Ministry of Employment and Economy and a water permit from the Western Finland Environmental Permitting Authority (WFEPA).

Construction of the 1,220 km (758 mi) long pipeline is scheduled to start early next year. Nord Stream will eventually be able to supply 55 bcm of natural gas per year.

07/02/2009