March 7, 2012
Scotland

Holyrood energy committee wants to hear from Donald Trump

www.scotsman.com 7 March 2012

A Holyrood committee investigating green energy targets today said it wants to hear from US billionaire Donald Trump.

Members of the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee are to invite Trump Organisation representatives to appear before them.

It comes after the tycoon branded wind turbines “ugly monstrosities” and “horrendous machines”, and he decided to bankroll an anti-wind farm campaign “to save Scotland”.

MSPs on the committee are to investigate how achievable the Scottish Government’s 2020 renewable energy targets are.

As well as inviting the Trump Organisation to give evidence, they also want to hear from the industry body Scottish Renewables and the environmental group WWF Scotland.

Other groups who will be invited include Communities Against Turbines, Friends of the Earth, professional bodies, local authorities, community councils, universities, colleges, energy suppliers and Government ministers.

Committee convener Murdo Fraser and his deputy John Wilson last week held “exploratory talks” with the billionaire’s son, Donald Trump Jr, and George Sorial of the Trump Organisation.

Today, Mr 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 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.”

Mr Trump, who is building a luxury golf resort in Aberdeenshire, has already expressed his opposition to a proposed offshore wind farm near his development.

A planning application for an 11-turbine wind farm off Aberdeen Bay was submitted to Marine Scotland last summer and a decision is expected to be made later this year.

Mr Trump has halted work on his resort until the decision is made by the Scottish Government.

Last month the businessman said he would be “honoured to give evidence if invited”.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/07/holyrood-energy-committee-wants-to-hear-from-donald-trump/