A Finnish environmental agency gave cautious approval to the prospective Nord Stream gas pipeline today, but asked for more studies to be done, according to dpa. Nord Stream would bring natural gas from Russia to Germany via a pipeline running under the Baltic Sea. It has raised both security and environmental concerns in Scandinavian countries. The Uusimaa Regional Environment Centre said the environmental impact assessment presented by the Nord Stream AG consortium was "sufficient in its fundamental aspects" but wanted more studies on the possible spread of nutrients and harmful substances during the laying of the pipeline. The Uusima region borders on the northern shores of the Gulf of Finland, and the agency has been in charge of studying and compiling a Finnish statement on the environmental impact assessment presented by Nord Stream. Possible effects on shipping and fishing as well as future decommissioning of the pipeline were other areas the agency requested more information about. The project is estimated at 7.4 billion euros (10.3 billion dollars). The 1,200-kilometre long pipeline is envisaged to run through the Finnish economic zone and will be in the vicinity of busy shipping routes in the Gulf of Finland. Nord Stream's head of European Union relations Sebastian Sass issued a statement saying the group will study the Finnish statement "and provide all necessary additional clarifications." The Finnish agency said it has taken into account opinions and statements from authorities, research institutes, non-governmental organizations, citizens and municipalities. Neighbouring Sweden recently extended its review of the Nord Stream environment impact assessement to the end of August. Partners in the consortium include Russian gas monopoly Gazprom, German energy companies E.ON, BASF/Wintershall and Dutch company Gasunie.
