On Monday lunchtime, Preem's announced that the board had decided to withdraw its environmental permit application for the aforementioned ROCC project in Lysekil.
The municipality's highest politician was surprised.
- We have heard that it is tough for the entire refinery industry, not least due to the spread of the coron virus.
It is difficult to start a multi-billion project under those conditions.
But it came as a bit of a surprise, says Jan-Olof Johansson (s), chairman of the municipal board in Lysekil.
Are you disappointed?
- at the moment I can not answer that, because I know too little about what the change means.
The municipality's largest employer
Preem is Lysekil's largest private employer with several hundred employees and very important for the labor market for both Lysekil and its neighboring municipalities.
Now there is uncertainty about how today's message will turn out.
- I know too little about what the change means in the short term.
The most important thing for us has always been that Preem could expand for its renewable production and that part remains.
I can only hope that the investments you intend to make go relatively quickly.
The municipality will now have a close dialogue with Preem about the future to understand how the municipality can be affected.