Anders Sjöholm is one of the owners of a small power plant in Salteå in Kramfors municipality.
He was initially relieved by the government's announcement to pause the environmental adaptation, which for his part would entail large costs.
Now he is more worried and wonders what is happening.
- We get some breathing room, but at the same time there is great concern, he says.
The process in progress
In several cases, including in Salteå, the legal process is already underway and the County Administrative Board, which handles the issue, believes that more information is needed before changing direction.
- We will continue to work according to the plan and according to current decisions and legislation until new information arrives, says Marie Werkestam, who is the coordinator regarding environmental adaptation at the County Administrative Board in Västernorrland.
Even at the Land and Environmental Court in Umeå, which is one of five courts in the country that will determine the new water judgments, it is noted that the process continues until there are new laws and regulations to comply with.
Fear of energy losses
The background to the pause, which is included in the government parties' settlement with SD, is a fear that environmental adaptation will cause energy losses.
At the same time, the greatest environmental benefits are achieved in small watercourses with low electricity production.
In addition, the environmental adaptation is a requirement to fulfill the EU's water directive.
- If the EU Commission does not consider that Sweden lives up to the water directive or other EU regulations, there could be heavy fines, notes Marie Werkestam.
Can apply for grants
You can apply for a grant for 85 percent of the cost of the measures required, for example demolishing dams and constructing fish ways, but the power plant owner must pay the remaining 15 percent.
Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (L) has declined an interview on the matter, but announces in writing that the work has begun in accordance with the agreement in the Tidö Agreement, which leaves all parties concerned in uncertainty.