Moy Valley Protection Group. Well done to the Irish Farmers Journal for publishing the following letter. Jackie Carroll, Ballinteskin, Stradbally, Co Laois on behalf of 72 local groups (listed below) DEAR SIR: We, the undersigned, call on the Government to review Irish energy policy in light of recent changes in renewable power technologies. These changes can enable us to meet 2020 EU targets much more cost-effectively, without destroying “brand Ireland” and our national heritage. To facilitate this review of the current all-wind strategy, an immediate suspension of all plans for any form of new power generation and associated transmission infrastructure such as pylons, 400 KV lines, substations and convertors should be introduced. This moratorium will enable a review of the latest renewable power technologies, still giving plenty of time to achieve 2020 targets, and will have no impact on consumer prices as Ireland currently has plentiful spare generation capacity. At present, Ireland’s electricity generation policy is full of contradictions. Peat generation produces high levels of CO2 per unit of electricity, while the purported aim of wind power is to reduce CO2 emissions. To date, there has been no independent cost-benefit analysis nor evidence base to support a further doubling of wind power and the new industrial-scale pylons that directly result from this. Our record since 2009 on cutting carbon emissions from the power sector is appalling. According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Irish wind capacity between 2009 and 2012 increased by almost 45%, but carbon emissions actually went up. Electricity prices also rose, with Ireland now enduring power prices that are among the highest in the EU. Despite this, we plan on a further doubling of wind power on our land. Many analysts, including Eirgrid themselves, have warned that increasing wind on the grid is technically extremely challenging and may not reduce our CO2 emissions any further. Planning process Our planning process has failed the people, a fact that is borne out by the slew of High Court cases pending against An Bórd Pleanála from groups opposed to wind farms and substations. An Bórd Pleanála’s frequent overruling of its own inspectors’ recommendations has angered and disillusioned many groups. Our Commission for Energy Regulation has been criticised by the Electricity Association of Ireland on the grounds of governance, accountability and a lack of reasoned decision-making. This energy policy has been criticised by many commentators. The Irish Academy of Engineering and analysts BW Energy have also recommended a pause on this policy. The current all-wind strategy is technically difficult and has failed to analyse other methods of renewable power which would allow us to meet our 2020 targets. For example, recent technological advances in sustainable biomass and solar PV should be investigated. Ireland’s renewable energy policy is now out of step with the rest of the EU. We are betting on one technology rather than a balanced mix, have not taken on board newer, cheaper green technologies and have not given our citizens the chance to fight climate change as we have no subsidies for individual households to produce their own renewable power. Our new Ministers for Energy and Environment (Alex White and Alan Kelly respectively) have been elected to represent the best interests of the citizens of this State and we call on them now to make a fresh start on energy policy. We need, in the words of the Irish Academy of Engineering, policies which “bring about a reduction in greenhouse gases in a more practical and effective manner”. A failure to do so may result in huge costs imposed on our citizens and our economy, enormous damage to our environment and divided rural communities forced to live in a nightmarish industrial landscape. Old Leighlin Say No to 21, Co Carlow Stop Pylons, CoCarlow Save Our Heartland, Co Carlow Save Our Valleys, Co Carlow Save the Blackstairs, Co Carlow Kingscourt Residents against the Local Wind farm, Co Cavan Wind Aware Clare Coore Shanaway Too Close Campaign, Co Clare Clare Rural Protection Group Rural Protection Group in West Clare Wind Aware North Cork Cork Wind Aware Knockraha Area Community Association, Co Cork North Kerry Wind Turbine Awareness, Co Kerry South Kildare Against Spin, Co Kildare Gridlink Action Group, Co Kildare Kildare Environmental Awareness Group, Co Kildare Rathangan Against Spin, Co Kildare Eadestown Against Spin, Co Kildare Clara and Paulstown Area Against Pylons in Kilkenny People Over Wind, Co Laois Wolfhill Wind Awareness, Co Laois Save Our Stradbally, Co Laois Laois Wind Energy Awareness Group, Co Laois Spink Wind Awareness, Co Laois Moygownagh Kilfan Landscape Protection Group, Co Mayo Foxford against Pylons, Co Mayo Knockmore Against Pylons, Co Mayo Ardagh against Pylons, Co Mayo Moy Valley Protection Group, Co Mayo Moygownagh Substation Action Group, Co Mayo Crossmolina Action Group, Co Mayo Dhuish Environmental Group, Co Mayo Kilcormac, Kinnity Cadamstown Wind Energy Group, Co Offaly Banagher Garbally Wind Information Group, Co Offaly Rhode Wind Turbine Action Group, Co Offaly Geashill Wind Turbines, Co Offaly Edenderry Parish Wind Action, Co Offaly Wind Turbine Action Group South Roscommon Sliabh Ban Community Group, Co Roscommon Kilcommon and Upperchurch Wind Awareness Group, Co Tipperary Carrigeen Against Pylons, Co Tipperary Ahenny Against Turbines Action Group, Co Tipperary Faugheen Against Turbines, Co Tipperary Ballyneill Action Group Against, Co Tipperary Rethink Pylons, Co Waterford Deise Against Pylons, Co Waterford Cappoquin Rethink Energy, Co Waterford Blackwater Valley Alliance, Co Waterford Bride & Blackwater Against Pylons, Co Waterford Cappoquin Rethink Energy, Co Waterford Comeraghs Against Pylons, Co Waterford Deise Against Pylons, Co Waterford Drumhills Community Wind Awareness Group, Co Waterford Dungarvan Aglish Drumhills Alliance, Co Waterford Waterford Wind Aware, Co Waterford Westmeath Alliance representing the following community groups: - Lakelands Windfarm Information Group - Raharney-Killucan - Ballymore - Baltrasna-Russellstown - Coralstown - Kinnegad - Rochfortbridge - Derravaragh - Durrow - Moate-Tubber - Ballynacargy - Streamstown - Castletowngeoghan - Legan-Streamstown - Mount Temple - Rathowen Wexford Energy Action Group, Co Wexford Wind Aware Ireland
Posted on: Sat, 04 Oct 2014 09:26:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015