Tough battle surrounding wind turbines in Frp

EU windmill climate neutral wind turbinesWind turbines on mountain tops. Photo: Pixabay.com

Tough battle surrounding wind turbines at Frp assembly 

The Progress Party (Frp) decides that the Norwegian municipalities must have the final word when it comes to the building of wind turbines. The resistance against wind power is strong in the party, though.


The wind power debate was by far the longest at the party’s national assembly, where two resolutions on the issue were to be dealt with on Sunday.

A proposal from Oslo Frp on a full stop in all wind power development on land and rather focus on offshore wind power, as well as one from the editorial committee that municipalities should have veto rights in terms of wind power development was on the agenda.

This entails that Frp will not stand in the way of municipalities that want wind turbines. This, at times, led to a heated verbal exchange between various groups.

Wishes to grant veto rights to municipalities

“If there is one environmental issue that has really been engaged in the last few months, it is this,” states environmental spokesperson of Frp, Gisle Meininger Saudland.

He supports the latest proposal, which states that «The Progress Party will to a greater extent emphasize environmental considerations in cases concerning wind turbines, and shall not say yes to wind farms that do not have local support in the municipal councils in all the concerned municipalities».

“It’s up to local democracy to decide. These are decisions that are best taken locally,” Saudland emphasises. He eventually succeeded in gaining support from a large majority of the national assembly.

Must use the grey matter

Mange Progress Party delegates are very sceptical towards wind turbines.

“Wind turbines are the worst sight in Norwegian nature. Should we allow 250-metre tall propellers? We must say no to these terrible ugly masts,” a delegate asks.

He gained support from several.

“Wind power was the largest media issue in April. Many are against the ravaging of Norwegian nature. We must not sell our country out,” it was pointed out from the pulpit. The danger of higher electricity prices and a popular rebellion similar to the road toll rebellion is also argued.

“We have now incurred a rebellion against toll walls. I fear that the same thing can happen with regards to wind turbines, which involve crazy destruction of nature. We must use the grey matter and stop all wind turbine development. Otherwise, there will be trouble,” another delegate pointed out from the pulpit.

 

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Provoking

That triggered Mats Ramo from Trøndelag Frp to march up to the pulpit.

“The arguments one hears against wind power – madness prevails,” he notes.

“There are few things that provoke me more than that there are people in Oslo who wish to decide how we in Trøndelag must use our resources,” Ramo thunders. He emphasises that wind power development can entail stable income for the municipalities.

Minister of Oil and Energy, Kjell-Børge Freiberg, in turn, promises to limit the construction of wind turbines.

No carpet bombing

“This country will not be carpet bombed with wind turbines,” Freiberg states. He points out that his ministry has declined 60 per cent of all applications for wind power licenses.

“We are in favour of developing profitable power and private investments. If there is a desire for such investments locally, we will not overrule that,” Freiberg asserts.


© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
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