Swiss Environment Minister Simonetta Sommaruga wants to simplify the approval of dams and wind turbines by putting an end to the flood of appeals. In future, only one appeal should be possible per project.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/ts
By 2050 the government wants to further increase electricity production from hydropower and even increase electricity production from other renewable energies tenfold. But progress has been slow, with many large-scale expansion projects stuck in legal limbo for years.
Proponents of wind power, for example, complain that no fewer than 76 construction projects are currently blocked in court. The raising of the Grimsel Pass dam has been legally jammed for 20 years.
“The environment ministry wants to speed up the procedures for the construction of large hydroelectric and wind power plants so that these projects, which are important for the security of the electricity supply, can be realised more quickly,” spokeswoman Annetta Bundi told the paper.
This is not to be achieved at the expense of environmental protection and spatial planning, but by means of coordinated and shorter procedures.
More
More
Alpine nimbyism freezes Swiss green energy dreams
This content was published on
Is Switzerland, one of the world’s most environmentally conscious societies, in danger of moving backwards on green projects?
The concept is for the government, in dialogue with the relevant actors, to determine in an overarching plan which dams and wind power plants are priorities for the goals of the energy transition. A special approval procedure concentrated at a cantonal office should then apply to these plants.
In this way the land-use plan, building permits and other necessary decisions such as clearing permits or water rights concessions could be issued in one step. As a result, opponents would have only one opportunity to challenge the project at a cantonal level and, if necessary, in the federal court.
This should make it possible for large construction projects to be approved more quickly, without opponents having less chance of success, according to the NZZ am Sonntag. This is because the criteria for approving a project remain unchanged.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland must ramp up green energy efforts to meet targets
This content was published on
On Thursday, the Federal Office of EnergyExternal link released its second report that monitors national energy consumption and its effect on the climate. Renewable energy sources accounted for 6.1% of net electricity production at the end of 2018 – some 3,877 gigawatt hours (GWh). This needs to be increased to 4,400 GWh by the end…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.