Energy Commission against association complaints about 16 hydropower projects
The municipalities should have a say in the accelerated approval procedures for solar and wind energy plants. This is what the responsible Council of States committee is insisting on. And it wants to exclude the right of appeal by associations for 16 hydropower projects.
11.10.2024, 16:48
SDA
The Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy of the Council of States (Urek-S) approved the necessary amendment to the Energy Act by 9 votes to 2 with 1 abstention, as reported by the parliamentary services on Friday. The aim is to speed up the approval of plants for electricity production using renewable energy that are necessary for the energy transition.
The majority of the Urek-S does not want to allow complaints by associations against the 16 hydropower projects listed in the Electricity Act. These projects, which were approved by voters in the referendum on the Electricity Act, should be implemented without delay.
On the other hand, the majority wants to secure the right of co-determination for siting municipalities in the proposed, concentrated procedures. In principle, no plant should be approved without the consent of the local municipality.
