Skellefteå's air quality has prompted the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) to demand an action plan from the municipality. However, despite a two-year deadline passing in 2021, the plan remains absent, potentially leading to EU fines for Sweden.

Ekot reports that SEPA detected illegal levels of harmful air pollutants in Skellefteå. They demanded an action plan from the municipality in 2021, with a two-year deadline that has now been missed.

Henrik Larsson of Naturvårdsverket's air unit acknowledges their limitations, stating to Ekot:

– We can only offer advice; enforcing compliance rests with the municipality.

Ekot highlights the health risks associated with the high levels of PM10 particulate matter. Prolonged exposure can increase the risk of premature death from heart disease and lung cancer.

Lars Hedqvist, the municipality's planning manager, deflects blame to the state. He cites the E4 highway running through the city and the lack of trains as contributing factors. He highlights the municipality's efforts in expanding public transport and reducing parking spaces.

– The main problem lies simply with the state. They are the ones who should do something, says Hedqvist to Ekot.

He expects an action plan to be ready this spring.

Ekot's investigation reveals email exchanges between the municipality and Naturvårdsverket showing instances where the municipality took over a year to respond, or even failed to respond at all, to Naturvårdsverket's inquiries.

Ekot: Why haven't you responded to emails from Naturvårdsverket about this?

– I've certainly responded to the emails. However, due to the demanding circumstances associated with our recent societal growth, there have unfortunately been some delays in our responses.