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“With today’s decision by VwGH, the approval of the most important electrical infrastructure project in the country has been reconfirmed beyond any doubt,” said Gerhard Christiner, APG’s Technical Director, in a statement. With this decision, the energy transition will have a full tailwind. The measures of the Renewable Expansion Law (EAG), such as the decarbonization of industry and commerce, the transition of mobility and the rapid expansion of renewable energies, would thus be possible.
Legal certainty after a long process
“This trial creates complete clarity for everyone involved in this extremely lengthy legal process,” said Thomas Karall, APG board member. After all, the approval process for the Salzburg line took 77 months or just under six and a half years. “This finally cleared up the latest open questions for opponents of the project and confirmed APG’s legal approach.” With the VwGH decision, all legal instances in which legal objections could be raised against management have been exhausted.
Economy Minister Margarete Schramböck (ÖVP) spoke today of a clear sign of a positive future for Austria as a business location. To ensure security of supply to its citizens, Austria needs a modern infrastructure with reliable electricity grids. Peter Unterkofler, President of the Salzburg Industrial Association (IV), was also pleased with the VwGH’s decision. The IV has spent years campaigning for the necessary closure of the ring and has always criticized the blockades of some opponents.
Fairkabeln Association abandons the protest
Opponents of the project were naturally disappointed on Tuesday. Franz Fuchsberger, president of the Fairkabeln association, whose members had held a large number of demonstrations and protests against the construction of the power line in recent months, told the “ORF Salzburg”: “Regarding the infrastructure electricity, so it matters in this country exclusively on profit maximization. Now we must recognize that we have lost for the electricity industry. The association interrupted an ongoing protest in Flachgau that morning when the verdict came out.
Meanwhile, the green member of the National Council Astrid Rössler wants to campaign in parliament for a change in the current heavy law. As deputy governor of Salzburg, Rössler was responsible for administrative procedures. At that time, it was bitter for her to accept the limits set by the law on this project, she said in a broadcast today. “It was simply not possible to prescribe the wiring; this has now been confirmed by all the court decisions on the objections of those affected.” Therefore, an amendment to the law is long overdue. “In the future, authorities should be able to request that partial wiring be verified when installing extra-high voltage lines.”
(Those: APA)
