Council of States wants to speed up procedures for the construction of energy plants
Published: Thursday, Dec 19th 2024, 13:10
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Parliament wants to speed up the approval process for the construction of renewable energy plants. The Council of States is going further than the National Council and has decided not to allow association complaints for 16 hydropower projects.
This involves 16 projects in the cantons of Valais, Bern, Graubünden, Ticino and Uri. These include a new reservoir in the Gorner area above Zermatt VS and increasing the capacity of Lake Grimsel.
The small chamber does not want to allow any complaints by associations against the hydropower projects mentioned in the energy decree approved by the people. This decision was made by 28 votes to 15 with one abstention. According to the majority, the democratically legitimized projects should be implemented without delay.
A left-wing minority sharply criticized the decision. "The removal of the right of appeal for associations contradicts the principles of a constitutional state," said Simon Stocker (SP/SH). The entire bill was jeopardized by the decision.
In the overall vote, the Council of States approved the so-called acceleration decree by 35 votes to 5 with 4 abstentions. The matter will return to the National Council for a vote on the differences.
©Keystone/SDA
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