January 29, 2013
Scotland

Cut wind turbine numbers and subsidies

The Berwickshire News | 29 January 2013 | www.berwickshirenews.co.uk

Scottish Conservatives are calling for tough new measures to control the spead of windfarms.

In their energy policy paper, ‘Power With Responsibility’, they set out their position on energy provision for Scotland; and this includes substantially reducing the number of planned onshore wind farms due to be completed, and cutting the subsidy that turbines receive by 50% in order to reduce household energy bills.

Scottish Conservatives also want to see measures that will ensure that all future windfarms are at least two kilometres from residential areas and are calling on the SNP Government to carry out an independent study into the health effects of wind turbines.

The paper also calls for homeowners to be allowed to claim compensation if the value of their property has decreased due to nearby wind turbine developments.

Roxburgh, Ettrick and Berwickshire MSP ,John Lamont, said: “Many Borders residents have written to me to express just how angry they are at what they see as the thoughtless and rapid spread of wind farms throughout our region. They feel, as I do, that we have reached a saturation point in the Borders and are fed up of the negative impact they are having on our tourism industry and our beautiful countryside.

“That is why the Scottish Conservatives have decided to lead the fight against the SNP’s wind energy obsession. Too often the views of local communities are totally overlooked in order to reach Alex Salmond’s ludicrous energy targets.

“By substantially reducing the number of wind farms due to be built, and by ensuring that all turbines are at least two kilometres away from residential areas we can help to limit the impact they are having on local people and our countryside.

“For many of those who already live near a wind farm site, they have seen significant drops in the value of their property. This is unfair and I think that it is only right that they should receive compensation for the money they have lost due to no fault of their own.

“By also pushing through a significant cut to the subsidies these turbines receive we can also ensure a better deal for the taxpayer. With many struggling to pay ever increasing energy bills it is time that some real help was provided, and by cutting these subsidies we can also see energy bills finally start to reduce.

“While renewable energy does have a role to play, we should not put all of our eggs in one basket and let the SNP’s wind energy obsession continue unabated.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/01/29/cut-wind-turbine-numbers-and-subsidies/