SV wants to stop construction work – NRK Vestland

– We cannot risk doing great harm to nature and then discover that the license should never have been granted, says parliamentary representative Lars Haltbrekken (SV).

The government is in the process of verifying whether the wind power licenses are on the correct basis, after the Storting applied for it this summer.

At the same time, excavators are advancing in cities such as Stadlandet in Nordfjord, Haramsøya in Sunnmøre and Øyfjellet in Helgeland.

Last week, it came to attention when NRK reported that a consulting firm in 2013 downgraded Stad’s natural value overnight, and that NVE issued a license based on this.

Professionals warn, but are not listened to.

Next Monday, SV will submit a proposal to the Storting on an end point to construction until the review is complete. The case can be handled as an urgent matter the same week.

– We must prevent irreversible interventions in nature. We want the government to make sure construction work takes a break, says Haltbrekken.

I doubt it’s legal

But law professor Henrik Bjørnebye from the University of Oslo doubts that the Storting can approve the suspension of construction.

He says the administration must have a legal basis to stop a project with a building license and an approved detailed plan, called the MTA.

As long as there is no such legal basis in legislation, the state cannot immediately stop construction work.

– Then the decision will not be valid. It is conceivable that it has countervailing consequences, says Bjørnebye.

Will lose money

Falck Renewables, who is developing wind power at Stad, writes in an email to NRK that a shutdown will spell financial loss for both them and others involved, but they won’t comment too much.

The wind energy organization Norwea has said there may be lawsuits for several hundred million crowns, from those who hold the licenses against the state at the Ministry of Oil and Energy.

CEO Scott Gilbert says the final plan for the wind farm has changed a lot and improved since NVE granted the license in 2013.

– It takes into account the natural values ​​that were mapped by professional consultants in 2005-2007 and 2013, in the sense that the turbines and access roads have been moved from an area of ​​great natural value to an area of ​​less natural value and conflict, says Gilbert.

– In addition, the number of turbines has been significantly reduced from the first plans in 2005, a reduction from 20 to now five turbines.

The entire wind power plant is still in the area that the environmental authorities consider important. Looks like the map Falck Renewables has sent to NRK, where the roads and turbines are drawn.

Source: Nature Base of the Norwegian Environment Agency

KrF and Frp skeptical

At the Storting, there is skepticism about the discontinuation of construction. Parliamentary representative Terje Halleland (Frp) would prefer that the government proceed more quickly to find out if the licenses are legal.

– We hope that the government can soon return to the Storting with a reply.

Storting’s representative, Tore Storehaug from KrF, will also not support SV’s proposal.

– We have received a report to the Storting on the wind energy policy. There will be major changes this fall, and then we must discuss these issues together.

Moxnes: The case is crazy

Party leader in Raudt, Bjørnar Moxnes says they will of course support the proposal.

– The Stadlandet case shows how crazy the system has become. Neutral and public bodies should conduct these types of surveys, not contracted consulting firms, Moxnes says.

You are not concerned if a construction stop could violate the law.

– It’s a question of whether the licenses on the whole roof are valid. So it’s right for the legislature to hit the pause button and reconsider the case, Moxnes says.

Meiner government may stop construction

Lars Haltbrekken believes that the government can stop construction.

SV will ask the government to “implement measures to prevent irreversible invasions of nature.”

– The government can give a clear stimulus to developers. It will be, to put it mildly, great if they don’t listen, they have a lot to gain by doing so, says Haltbrekken.