March 7, 2012
Scotland

Donald Trump asked to appear before MSPs

BBC News, www.bbc.co.uk 7 March 2012

US businessman Donald Trump is being called to appear before a Scottish Parliament committee, as part of an inquiry into green energy.

Mr Trump has halted work on his £1bn luxury golf resort in Aberdeenshire, over plans to build an offshore wind farm nearby.

His organisation has also said it may spend £10m fighting such developments.

Holyrood’s economy and energy committee wants to question a range of experts and others on renewable energy.

Mr Trump said the plans for 11 turbines in Aberdeen Bay would spoil the sea views for his customers, at Menie, and has stopped work at his resort until Scottish ministers make a decision on the development.

The businessman said, if the turbines were approved, the last thing he would do was build a hotel looking out at it.

He previously called the turbines “ugly monstrosities” and “horrendous machines”, and has decided to bankroll an anti-wind farm campaign.

A revolution in green energy is a major part of the SNP government’s vision for Scotland’s future.

Economy committee convener, Murdo Fraser, said: “From our preliminary discussions with the Trump organisation, it was obvious the strength of views they had.

“The committee agreed they wanted to hear from Donald Trump about his wider concerns regarding the impact of wind energy development on tourism and the economy in Scotland.”

The Tory MSP added: “The committee is clear that it wants to hear from all sides of the argument – and is inviting a range of organisations to ensure we hear all perspectives on this controversial and complex subject.”

The cross-party committee also want to know if the government’s green energy targets can be met, whether there is enough investment in new technology and what the impact will be on consumer bills.

A planning application for the wind farm off Aberdeen Bay, 2km (1.2 miles) from Mr Trump’s planned golf course, was submitted to Marine Scotland in August last year.

The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre is a £150m joint venture by utility company Vattenfall, engineering firm Technip and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/07/donald-trump-asked-to-appear-before-msps/