“On one side you will have a magnificent view of the Puys chain and on the other there will be an imposing derrick. » For Myriam Michon, the observation is clear: a deep geothermal power plant has no place in the town of Saint-Pierre-Roche. The Auvergnate is co-president of the ACR des volcans, an association of residents of Puy-de-Dôme who oppose the “Geopulse” project launched several years ago by TLS Geothermics and Storengy, a subsidiary of ENGIE.
“The objective is to build a deep geothermal power plant with an electrical power of 5 MW, using the warm waters naturally present between 3,000 to 3,600 m deep. To access this resource, two deep wells must be drilled,” the Geopulse website states. The choice fell on this site due to the geological particularity of the territory.
In addition to this production of renewable and local energy, the project designers also boast the “creation of 50 direct jobs on average in the construction phase and 5 in the operation phase over 30 years or more. Consultation of competent local companies for the works and the exploitation phase. The use of hotel and catering capacities. A local economic activity which will create economic added value and induce territorial taxation: property tax, CFE, CVAE. »
“We quickly asked questions about the risks for biodiversity and the people who live in the various neighboring municipalities but they remained without precise answers,” regrets Myriam Michon. The latter primarily targets the occurrence of earthquakes linked to drilling activity. “We found an example of the same type in Alsace where the tremors cracked homes over a large area. Beyond this risk, the territory will lose its attractiveness because it will be difficult to bring in new inhabitants…” And in addition to visual pollution, biodiversity would also be threatened: “We found a rare species of bird, the shrike. It will threaten their habitat but they still have permission. »
The association is multiplying appeals and using all administrative and legal levers at its disposal to postpone the start of the work. With the hope of seeing the two project leaders withdraw. But Myriam Michon affirms it: the hypothesis of a virulent mobilization, which could materialize by the formation of a ZAD, is ruled out: “That is not at all what we want. At the beginning, people with problematic behavior were with us but we quickly pushed them aside. »
Firm opposition which notably targeted Joël Flandin, the mayor of Saint-Pierre-Roche, whose municipal council issued a favorable advisory opinion for the project. “I received death threats,” testifies the elected official. It ended up in court and they lost. This is private land that was sold for the project. We don't have control over it. Everyone is free to think what they want. Besides, we can communicate calmly with the association, but there are limits. »
And like everyone, the mayor is awaiting the decision of the administrative court which could lead to new appeal procedures. “Everyone asks me where it’s at! But I think we'll still have to wait. »
