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It is about the actual storage of fuel and fuels. As of July 1, 2022, all underground pipelines must be insured against rust so that the contents are not at risk of leaking and causing the risk of fire or environmental damage.
According to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) regulations, fuel stations that have not yet done so must either upgrade their existing pipes with protection or replace everything with new ones.
The bill for such work is estimated at one million crowns, according to the Swedish Petrol Trade industry organization.
Large chains have largely He has already done this, or at least set aside money for it. However, for small independent gas stations, these are sums that would take many years to save together.
– This can be a death sentence in large, sparsely populated areas, says Robert Dimmlich, CEO of Swedish Petrol Trade.
His forecast, based on contacts with members of the organization, is that around 500 of the independent fuel stations in the country will not be able to afford to renew to meet MSB requirements after July 2022.
It’s a low-margin industry where most of the money comes from in-store retail sales and fuel is almost a lure for attracting customers. Many of the stations are located in sparsely populated areas and, while important to their immediate area, they find it difficult to make significant profits.
– It is one of the most important service functions needed in a place. And access to fuel is incredibly important in sparsely populated areas, for residents and other businesses alike, says Robert Dimmlich.
Therefore, many also have the right regional investment aid. But if they don’t have the money themselves, it will be difficult to get the support, because the investment itself must be made before the support is paid.
– Banks prefer not to invest in this type of business and the money is never paid in advance, so the trader must have liquidity, says Robert Dimmlich.
According to cultural geographer Jan Amcoff of Uppsala University, a gas death of the magnitude that Swedish Petrol Trade warns can lead to depopulation in places that have a long way to go to the nearest alternative.
Among other things, he has conducted research about what happens in the field when the last grocery store closes.
The results should also reasonably apply to service stations. At least the ones with staff and a store, he says.
– What you can see is that basically nothing happens. It seems to be the case that today we are so mobile and transported by car that these small merchants in sparsely populated areas mostly fulfill their function of public meeting point, says Jan Amcoff.
Jan Amcoff is Associate Professor in the Department of Cultural Geography at Uppsala University.
Photo: Private.
It is in cases where the distances to the closest alternative become really long that it can have consequences.
– You can imagine that somewhere there is a limit when you go too far. So these actors suddenly have a key role. It’s hard to say exactly how many miles it is, but eventually people move from there and others stop moving there, says Jan Amcoff.
MSB has conducted impact evaluations in relation to the development of the regulation and affirms that it will affect many companies. But it is not possible to take into account that some have put pressure on finances, says Ingela Hellberg, administrator of the unit responsible for regulation.
– You can’t do that that way. We are prepared to keep the risk of fire and explosion as low as possible when handling these products, so there is no possibility of it being allowed to be handled more risky in a small field service station than anywhere else. she says.
The last day to carry out the required measures is June 30, 2022. Since 2014, it is possible to read the MSB regulations on tanks with connected pipes for flammable liquids.
However, knowledge is on what applies, according to Svensk Bensinhandel, is still bad among the smaller petrol stations and many have not realized what applies until now.
It’s unfortunate, says Ingela Hellberg, but also points out that it’s not MSB’s responsibility.
– It works in such a way that in this country everyone is expected to know and relate to the laws and rules that apply to oneself or even to business, he says.
