Keystone-SDA
The construction of solar or wind power plants of national importance must be accelerated. The Council of States began examination on Tuesday of this project which weakens the rights of appeal. The Greens criticize an attack on environmental protection.
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December 17, 2024 – 1:32 p.m.
(Keystone-ATS) The Federal Council wants to simplify and accelerate the authorization procedures for renewable energies. It provides that in the future the cantons will have 180 days to make their decision on a file.
The cantonal and municipal authorizations necessary for construction must be issued at once in order to avoid a project being subdivided into a succession of stages. The courts will have to decide within 180 days in the event of an appeal.
The law for a secure supply of electricity in the medium and long term, accepted by the people, expects a production of 6 additional TWh by 2040, recalled the rapporteur of the committee Beat Rieder (Centre/VS). Accelerating construction procedures is essential for implementation, underlined Martin Schmid (PLR/GR).
The acceleration of authorizations for renewable energies must not be to the detriment of environmental protection, declared Céline Vara (Vert-es/NE) at the opening of the debate. The proposed restrictions on appeal rights are unacceptable. They completely unbalance the project.
The debate was interrupted due to lack of time. It will resume on Thursday, notably on large photovoltaic installations in the Alps.
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