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1. News@all-energy powers on with its wide-ranging news links for energy
stories. The latest issue No. 85 brings little grid news. One item of
general interest is headlined "The EU bloc must find 1.1 trillion Euros
from its coffers over the next 14 years, if it is to fulfil ambitious
climate change goals". No wonder there is so much hype.
2. ITV featured Dermot Finnigan's plight in "Britain's unluckiest homes"
at 8.00 p.m. on 31-3-07. From the pictures screened it certainly looked
like a devastating impact from the pylon moved next to Dermot's
property, or even trespassing across the boundary as he has claimed.
While I have not heard all the evidence, from what I have heard this
does seem like a case of antisocial behaviour by National Grid in
relocating a pylon without consultation to maximise its impact on the
Finnigans' home. In news202.8 we announced a People's ASBO (call it a
PASBO) for National Grid, for being such a nasty neighbour. We have
reported many of the complex features of this case over the past year
and more, and the continuing saga more recently in news 202, 208, 214,
215, 216, 218 and 220. Why on earth can't they find a sensible
conclusion? Do they prefer it to drag on?
3. Still more on the National Grid - Finnigan case. A case has been
brought to the County Court to establish the location of the boundary.
The court case has started this month and is expected to go on for
months! The Finnigans are representing themselves, while NG has a senior
legal team to drive its case.
4. Scottish farming and land organisations are calling for burying the
proposed Beauly-Denny line. They are also objecting to approaches to
landowners for wayleaves while the inquiry is in progress. (Appendix A).
5. The second stage of the 2007 report of the IPCC (Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change) came out this month. It deals with the
potential (social and economic) impact of climate change. As with the
first stage (news219.5) on the scientific basis, what is published is
just the SPM (Summary for Policy Makers) and not the scientific
analysis. This second SPM shows the importance of "adaptation" to
inevitable climate change, as distinct from the argument about how much
is caused by man made activity. The reports can be accessed directly at
the IPCC site
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APPENDIX A. PRESSURE GROWS TO BURY POWER CABLES
IAIN RAMAGE
Press &Journal , 12 April 2007
Pressure intensified yesterday on a power giant to consider burying
cables as an alternative transmission method for part or all of its
proposed replacement of the Beauly to Denny pylon line.
Scotland's two major land management organisations have made the plea
in a submission to the multimillion-pound public inquiry which was
triggered by Scottish and Southern Energy's refusal to underground
cables despite thousands of objections to its plans to double the
size of many pylons along the 137-mile route.
Scotland's farming union (NFUS) and the Scottish Rural Property and
Business Association (SRPBA) insist that a detailed comparison
between overhead pylons and underground cabling "must be made to
address the impact an overhead line could have on the Scottish
countryside".
Agreeing that additional transmission capacity is required to
accommodate an expected influx of new energy - predominantly from
onshore windfarms - NFUS vice-president Nigel Miller said: "Before we
erect 600 pylons each around the height of the Scott Monument, every
single alternative must be looked at.
"Unless we can see evidence that overhead lines are the only viable
option, we can't support them and we haven't seen that evidence yet.
"We have real concerns at the impact on the countryside of the
proposed line. This will be one of the largest industrial
developments the Highlands has seen, so time needs to be taken to
ensure a proper analysis of the options are done. Our members in
areas the line is proposed to go through deserve nothing less."
He added: "We know underground cabling is more costly, but this cost
needs to weighed against the potential blight in terms of planning
and tourism that pylons could bring with them."
SRPBA policy director Jackie McCreery said: "SRPBA does not oppose an
upgraded power line per se, and indeed supports the development of
infrastructure to facilitate expansion of renewable energy generation.
"However, we do have serious reservations about the proposed mode of
transmission and the impact on farmers and land managers that this
line will have if it goes ahead in its proposed form in terms of
visual impact, tourism, visitor numbers, property values and so on."
SSE spokesman Julian Reeves said: "During the consultations prior to
the public inquiry, Highland Council, the Cairngorms National Park
Authority and Scottish Natural Heritage commissioned a study into the
technical, financial and environmental issues pertaining to the
undergrounding of extra high voltage (EHV) transmission lines.
Among other things, the study found that EHV underground cables (UGC)
cost between six and 12 times more than overhead lines based on
assumptions which are generally favourable to UGC.
"We have submitted to the public inquiry detailed evidence in support
of our proposals for the replacement overhead transmission line, and
this is now a matter for them to consider."
Last month, NFUS and SRPBA wrote to First Minister Jack McConnell
expressing concern that meetings were being held with local
landowners and farmers to arrange compulsory wayleave applications
despite the fact the inquiry was still ongoing. The organisations
echoed many objectors who feel the move pre-empted the outcome of the
public inquiry and brought its integrity into question.
The inquiry, which is believed to be costing around £10million and
which began in Perth in February, is due to resume next week after a
short break.
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Mike O'Carroll