The environment and natural resources appeals committee has rejected the demand of Náttúrugrið and Náttúruverndarsamtök Íslands (Iceland Nature Conservation Association) that the decision to grant a construction permit for the Hvammur power plant be annulled. The organisations wanted the preparatory works to be halted.
The organisations appealed the decision of Rangárþing ytra to grant Landsvirkjun a construction permit, partly on the basis that the public participation rights provided during the assessment of the impacts on groundwater and lava fields had not complied with the law.
They argued that the temporary power plant licence granted was so flawed that it could not form the basis for a construction permit.
The project would disturb land and ecosystems and have major negative and lasting environmental impacts. They also argued that the head of the local council should have been considered legally unfit to participate in the decision, and that the decision was based on improper considerations.
The municipality rejects this and says the decision was in line with laws, regulations, environmental assessment and planning.
In the committee’s ruling it is stated that even if there are various outstanding issues and substantive reasons behind the appeal, it cannot be ignored that the project area has already been disturbed. Significant financial damage could result from halting the works and they appear to be in line with the zoning plan.
It is also noted that a temporary licence for the power plant has been granted by the specialised licensing authority, Umhverfis- og orkustofnun (National Energy Authority). The works are ongoing and scheduled to be completed by January at the latest.
The construction permit issued temporarily on 18 August will expire no later than 11 January next year. The permit states that it is limited to preparatory works for Hvammur power plant that have already begun and have no impact on water bodies.
A survey by Maskína earlier this month suggested that three out of five Icelanders supported the Hvammur power plant. 35% of respondents were strongly in favour, while 10% were strongly opposed.
Source: Ruv.is
