Further tailwind for wind energy

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The Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy Committee of the Council of States (Urek-S) discussed and unanimously approved the federal law on speeding up the approval process for wind turbines, the parliamentary services announced on Thursday. Especially in the winter months, wind energy can make a valuable contribution to the power supply.

A central concern of the Urek-S is the inclusion of local communities and the democratic legitimacy of the accelerated projects. The accelerated procedures should therefore only be applied if the municipalities have already approved the facility as part of the usage planning.

Cantons are also stepping on the gas

An exception to this should be cantons which, prior to the enactment of the Federal Acceleration Act, shifted utilization planning authority for wind energy projects to the cantonal level. In the Commission’s view, these new regulations should not be an obstacle to speeding up the procedure. On the other points he agrees with the proposal of the National Council.

Several cantons are already promoting the expansion of wind energy in their areas. Graubünden, for example, wants to make up to 30 mountain areas suitable for wind energy. Wind turbines would therefore roar right next to the slopes in the major ski areas. However, the tourist destinations have not yet sounded the alarm. (SDA/dba)

Source:Blick