In its decision, the court rejected two petitions filed by the councils of Loviisa and Ruotsinpyhtää. Earlier, the petitions had been turned down by the Helsinki Administrative Court.
Commenting on the decision, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said the government aimed at a decision by parliament on the question of building additional nuclear reactors in June. The government, he noted could examine licence applications during March.
The government has three licence applications to consider from power companies. Within cabinet ranks, the National Coalition Party favours construction of three new reactors while the Green League remains opposed to any expanison of nuclear power.
