Wind power plans stoke hatred in Malung

Of: Erik wiman

Published: September 28, 2020 kl. 19.50

Threats, bullying and broken friendships.

The issue of a new wind farm in Malung has hurt the entire municipality.

– Beginners are something that is never forgotten, this can take generations to heal, says the president of no page, Arne Söderbäck.

The mother rushes up the steps, speaking to us only against the promise of anonymity.

– My children can be intimidated at school because our family is for wind energy, I dare not say anything more open.

We met her late Sunday afternoon in front of the red IOGT NTO shelter in Malung, for the day of voting in the municipal referendum on a planned wind farm in Ripfjället.

The mother looks over her shoulder, as if to make sure no one is behind and listening.

– The climate is more important than anything, we have to invest in renewable electricity and then someone has to lend their backyard, in this case it is Malung, he says.

In the next breath:

– This has all gotten nasty. I don’t know how the area will be complete again.

What happened in Malung? What is it that divides a municipality to the extent that the residents do not dare to be open with their opinion?

On the one hand: Fossil-free electricity, income and employment in the municipality.

On the other hand: the encroachment of unspoiled wilderness, house prices cut in half, and a horizon line broken by 30 wind turbines.

These are the main arguments that have supported each other for a year and a half since it became known that the German company WPD wanted to build a wind farm in Ripfjället, a few kilometers from Malung. Day by day, the debate has intensified. Now the conflict is so deep that many choose to remain silent, whether they are for or against. An opinion expressed in the wrong context can lead to disputes and ostracism.

“Threatened”

– I myself have been threatened with beatings in the store, says former pastor Arne Söderbäck, who is suing the party no.

It has followed us to the middle of the 600 meter high Ripfjället peak. This is where the giants will rise if the municipality signs the final agreement. 250 meters high with arms that rotate 24 hours a day, all year round.

Focus: climate towards the local environment. Green electricity at the price of lost natural values. Who has to sacrifice something?

The valley below us disappears in a white September haze. The wind between the trunks of the pines is the only thing that can be heard. Far below are cabins and summer cabins that will get a whole new view if the political majority gets what they want.

– Do you think the Globe affects the image of Stockholm? These wind turbines are three times as tall and should also be on a mountain. This place will never be the same again, says Arne Söderbäck.

A professional life in the pulpit has given the 73-year-old priest weight and skin to his mouth. He’s talking about a new Dala uprising. In the next moment about David against Goliath, in this case represented by the fight of the little man against the authorities and a multimillionaire multinational.

Wpd group is headquartered in Berlin and owns 2,800 wind turbines across Europe. The company has the holy wrath of Arne Söderbäck directed against it.

He was against the idea from the beginning. The opponents say it is because he himself has a cabin nearby, and does not deny that his anger feeds and feeds on it, but also believes that the municipality has obscured the plans for the neighbors and that Councilor Hans Unander (s) sees the wind turbines. as a monument to his own political action.

– I’m so mad, these deals were almost done before any resident knew anything.

We have to change fossil energy, it will require sacrifices from many, why not here?

– Then build the power plants where electricity is consumed, directly in heavy industries, not here.

As a priest, Arne Söderbäck has had thousands of confidential conversations with people in the area. If he has learned anything, it is that injustices can have lasting consequences. Conflicts spread a sticky glue in time and space.

– I am concerned that this problem could divide Malung into generations, whatever happens. Landowners who can make money on wire transfers will never forgive those who say they can’t. There are hunting teams where old friends no longer speak to each other.

At the same time, the retired priest himself seems almost irreconcilable in his anger. Many believe that he is one of those who set the mood in the municipality, with a harsh and sometimes dismissive tone.

Is there something in it?

– They call me devil priest, leader of a sect and that I am a Donald Trump in the area, but I think that if the politicians had had an open debate with us, a lot of this hatred would be resolved, but they do not want that.

Malung City Councilor Hans Unander wears a red white shirt and tie, sweater and jacket. He leaves the polls after leaving his vote in favor.

According to Arne Söderbäck, it is Unander who from day one has stood above democracy and the will of the people.

– I really regret that this issue has divided the municipality and I am afraid of the consequences, but I have never tried to obscure anything..

If the wind farm is built, 30 hectares of forest in use will be taken from the municipality’s 20,000, it is a small sacrifice, according to Unander.

– I myself am one of those who have a cabin closer to the park, but I think it’s worth it for the good of the municipality.

Now hatred is raging in the Facebook comment field. Would the disagreement be resolved if the parties met in an orderly debate?

– I have attended all but one consultation meeting. On the other hand, I don’t want to debate with the president of the non-side because he constantly attacks people and calls me corrupt.

We have met residents who are afraid to say what they think their children may be bullied, is the wind farm worth it?

– It remains to be seen. This can provide us with very important income, which for example can go to a new bathhouse.

It’s dark in Malung when the polling stations finally close. No flashing lights can be seen in the night sky over Ripfjället yet.

Late at night the preliminary result arrives.

4,637 people voted out of the more than 8,000 eligible.

No: 52.5 percent. Yes: 44.1 percent. Rejected: 3.3 percent.

Not the landslide victory that Arne Söderbäck hoped for, but a clear no.

But the referendum is consultative. The Ripfjället giants can still be built. Many wait.

– Now we will analyze the election results and then we will see how we will proceed, says Hans Unander.

– Now you have the opportunity to heal all wounds once and for all, only the veto of the municipality is needed, says Arne Söderbäck.

The two men, powerful in their respective sands in Malung, have their vacation homes just a few miles apart.

Will they ever raise their hands again to say hello?

Published: September 28, 2020 kl. 19.50