September 2, 2012
Japan

Fujinomiya caps energy to safeguard scenic views

The Yomiuri Shimbun | www.yomiuri.co.jp 2 August 2012

FUJINOMIYA, Shizuoka–The Fujinomiya municipal government in Shizuoka Prefecture has announced that from this month it will strive to limit the installation of large-scale solar and wind power generation facilities in 75 percent of the city area, mostly around the foot of Mt. Fuji, to preserve the scenery.

The central government and Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures aim to register the mountain on the World Cultural Heritage list. The investigation for registration started on Wednesday.

The limitations will not be legally binding and the city will ask business operators to voluntarily refrain from building such facilities.

An official of the Environment Ministry said they had never heard of municipalities refraining from attracting renewable energy facilities.

The city will attempt to limit the installation of power generation facilities with solar panels covering more than 1,000 square meters or wind turbines above 10 meters in height.

About 290 square kilometers of the total city area (389 square kilometers) is to be targeted.

The area includes the Asagiri Plateau with its wide meadows and rural areas.

Mayor Hidetada Sudo said at a city assembly meeting on Thursday, “Large solar panels and wind turbine generators would severely affect the scenery and vegetation.” He asked the assembly members for their understanding regarding the plan.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/09/02/fujinomiya-caps-energy-to-safeguard-scenic-views/