February 18, 2011
Letters, Scotland

Wind farm stance

The Scotsman, scotsman.com 18 February 2011

Up-to-date figures on responses to the Energy Consents and Deployment Unit on the proposed Viking Energy wind farm for the Shetland Isles show 2,736 objecting and 1,114 supporting, giving 71 per cent opposition.

It is also significant that 85 per cent of respondents gave Shetland addresses.

It would also be a reasonable assumption that a fair proportion of the remaining 15 per cent are Shetlanders (native or adopted) working or studying outwith the islands.

Given this level of unquestionable opposition, it is now high time our MSP Tavish Scott (Scottish Lib/Dem leader) and MP Alistair Carmichael (Westminster deputy chief whip) stated their position on the development; they owe this to their Shetland constituents.

I challenge them here and now: “Are you for or against the Viking Energy wind farm?”

I believe they have supported the project from its inception and have shown their support politically behind closed doors.

I believe that they should state their respective positions categorically and without prevarication. I do not believe they are undecided on the matter.

The rally to “Save Shetland’s Environment – Stop Viking Energy” on Saturday, 19 February in Lerwick would provide the ideal platform to let their constituents know where they stand.

Billy Fox

Sustainable Shetland
Brennek
Quarff, Shetland


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/02/18/wind-farm-stance/