Natural resource fees - can it become a reality?
For almost five years, the Norrbotten Region has been working towards the introduction of natural resource fees. This means that some of the value created in, for example, mines and power plants should accrue to the places where they are extracted. For a long time, we have been speaking to deaf ears – but now it seems that time has caught up with the demand. Could natural resource fees become a reality?
Norrbotten is a place rich in natural resources. What would it mean if the values from forests, mines, wind turbines and hydroelectric power plants stayed in the county – to Region Norrbotten and the municipalities here? Probably many, many millions to build communities and welfare with.
Today we get the intrusions but above all jobs and payroll taxes back. It is a model that does not pay off as well today as it did during the record years. Now, and in the future, machines can take over more and more of the work.
In our neighboring countries, and in many other comparable countries, natural resource fees are a matter of course. And now the realization that it is necessary seems to be growing within companies and in the government. Because how are we going to be able to expand wind power when municipalities have veto power, but at the same time zero incentive to say yes? How are we going to access important metals and minerals when resistance to new mines is strong – especially in places that don't actually need more jobs?
“Good supplement”
In recent weeks, we have seen several initiatives that open the way for natural resource fees.
– You need to make sure that you benefit from building wind power, that you want to have wind power on your land. We need to find compensation for both local residents and municipalities so that building wind power is seen as a good addition for the municipality, said Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (L) on SVT at the end of April.
At the end of May, Minister of Economic Affairs Ebba Busch opened up about mining fees.
– In this situation, we actually cannot afford to start excluding measures that could mean that the local community is prepared to say yes to a greater extent. The mines are far too important to manage the green transition in this security policy situation.
"Contributes 9,5 billion annually"
Last week, the electricity company Fortum wrote on DN Debatt and proposed extensive incentives for municipalities with energy production – even for places that have long contributed to Sweden's electricity supply.
"If the societal transition is to succeed, the electricity system needs to double in just 20 years. Those who take responsibility must therefore receive a greater share of the values that are created. We propose that the state annually contributes 9,5 billion to electricity-producing local communities and nearby residents - we ourselves will take the lead and increase the compensation to them," wrote Fortum CEO Peter Strannegård.
Region Norrbotten welcomes that the issue is now on the table at the highest national level.
– Natural resource fees have the potential to change the playing field for our municipalities. We see what it looks like in our neighboring countries: how wind power becomes school buildings and hydropower becomes swimming pools. Then, of course, it is important that the fees are designed in such a way that it really makes a difference. If Piteå Municipality receives wind power compensation like in Finland, it would be SEK 300 million per year. If Jokkmokk receives hydropower compensation according to the Norwegian model, it is about just over SEK 300 million there too. In Canada, mining companies pay a five percent regional mining tax. Such a level would of course mean that enormous sums are added to Norrbotten, says Anders Öberg, Chairman of the Regional Board in Norrbotten.
Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa