DOC under attack over windfarm controversy
The Department of Conservation has been paid more than $8 million in settlements reached with developers over big projects like power schemes.
ONE News asked for figures following revelations earlier this year that State Owned Meridian Energy agreed to pay DOC a six figure sum to drop its objections over an Otago windfarm.
Project Hayes, Meridian Energy’s planned windfarm on an Otago site has always been controversial.
But earlier this year the turbulence increased when it emerged the State Owned Enterprise had paid $175,000 to DOC for its support.
“You would expect them to use money that they receive to mitigate the environment impacts but hush money would be unexceptable to the government,” says John Key.
And now ONE News know its not the only deal.
Following a request under the Official Information Act DOC provided ONE News with a list of numerous deals reached with State Owned Enterprises and developers over the past decade.
“Its $8.4 million that goes into conservation, the alternative is that we get into court waste it on lawyers and its not paid into conservation,” says Al Morrison, DOC.
They include $7.2 million paid by Meridian Energy for the Waitaki hydro schemes backdated to 1991.
A million dollars has also been paid by Genesis Energy over the past decade for the Lake Waikaremoana hydro scheme.
And developers paid another $100,000 for other projects, a total of nearly $8.4 million.
Another half a million will be paid to DOC if other projects receive consent including the money earmarked for the project Hayes windfarm.
DOC says none of the agreements are secret.
“It is not hush money, it’s very open at all times,” says Richard Gordon, Genesis Engery.
“It’s money spent on conservation, it’s a good deal for conservation,” says Morrison.
But Forest and Bird is concerned all the deal making puts the environment second.
“Once you’ve lost habitat, once you’ve lost a place where plants and animals and eels and fish and things actually live, you can’t put it back again,” says Mike Britton, Forrest and Bird.
But DOC says if it can’t resolve significant concerns with developers, it will take those issues up with the environment court.
Source: ONE News
4 May 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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