June 22, 2007

Destroy the environment in the name of saving it

The planning committee of the Carmarthenshire County Council (Wales) voted strongly in favor of a 16-turbine wind energy facility on Mynydd y Betws near Ammanford. According to their June 20 press release, "The scheme is for the erection of 16 wind turbine generators, an anemometer mast, electrical substation and control building, electrical connections, access roads, temporary construction compound and borrow pits. ... 16 turbines to be sited across Mynydd y Betws in a broadly double, east-west row, over a distance of four kilometres."

They approved the scheme even as they admitted it conflicted with Council planning policies concerning landscape, the environment, amenity, and open space.

Head of planning Eifion Bowen explained later: "Whilst recognising its significant impact on the landscape, the committee recognised its obligation to meet Welsh Assembly targets for renewable energy generation and the reduction in carbon emissions."

And if carbon emissions do not go down ... ? Who will restore what was destroyed?

Visit Betws Mountain Preservation Guide.

wind power, wind energy, wind farms, environment, environmentalism