Kemijärvi initiates eminent domain proceedings on Stora Enso pulp mill

Factory scheduled to shut down at end of month

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The City Council of Kemijärvi gave its approval on Tuesday evening to a request that it will send to the national government for authorisation to exercise eminent domain power and buy the Stora Enso pulp mill in the city that the paper company plans to close down.
     The decision came after a lengthy and intense discussion. The vote was an overwhelming 25 to 9.
     Council members representing the Left Alliance and the Social Democratic Party supported the proposal of the City Board, while the ranks of the largest party group in the city, the Centre, as well as the National Coalition Party, and the non-affiliated group were split.
     
The pulp and paper manufacturer Stora Enso is opposed to the move, saying that pulp manufacturing operations need to stop in Kemijärvi because of problems getting raw material. It says that closing down the Kemijärvi plant will secure availability of raw material to the company's other mills.
     The closure, after 40 years of operation, is leaving 240 people without jobs.
      The council says that the continued operations of the plant have a decisive role in the planned development of the city. The application for permission to make the compulsory purchase is based on the "common good" and applies to the whole factory area with its buildings, machinery, and equipment. The aim of the city is to bring in another company that manufactures pulp out of wood to continue the work of the mill.
      "The City Council points out that the factory has operated profitably, and that the continued availability of fibre wood has been secured, according to experts", the application reads.
     
Under the law, a municipality can be given authorisation to purchase an area that is needed for the building, organisation, and development of a community.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Government denies agreeing to closure of Kemijärvi pulp mill (14.2.2008)
  Trainload of protesters from Kemijärvi bring pulp mill message to Parliament (5.2.2008)
  Laminated beam factory to be set up in Kemijärvi pulp mill building (28.1.2008)
  Stora Enso closing Summa and Kemijärvi mills at brisk pace (18.1.2008)
  City of Kemijärvi wants to expropriate pulp mill for resale or lease (19.3.2008)

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