Wind Energy Development Guidelines - Submissions needed.

[Rocker]

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is currently conducting a targeted review of its Wind Energy Development Guidelines in relation to noise, proximity and shadow flicker. Submissions on these topics are needed to ensure the Guidelines reflect the general opinions of the people of this country. The closing date for submissions in next Friday 21st February 2014.

The Lakelands Windfarm Information Group have compiled a number of submission papers and posted them on their website here: http://www.lwig.net/submit.htm. You can use the Automated On-Line Submission to simplify the process.

It is important that as many submissions are submitted as possible. For example, the proposed setback distance [from domestic dwellings, schools etc. to an industrial wind turbine is 500 metres]. This distance is totally inadequate, the LWIG feeling is that this distance should be at least 10x the height of the turbine. In other words for a turbine 185 metres high, the setback should be 1850 metres at least.

Thank you for reading this post. Thank you for submitting if you do so.

Please ask your family members, friends, neighbours and colleagues to submit the Automated On-Line Submission also. Thanks also to Fran for his kind permission to post this message on his Tirnahifi website.

[Sloop John B]

The automated submission is a great idea.

So often now the government and it's agencies has public consultations that very few know about and then are told later "well you had your chance!"

I've submitted and liked on Facebook.


SJB

[Fran]

Me too.

I know we aren't normally political here, but ths really gets my goat. The thing is though - my particular beef isn't so much about the size, noise, flicker etc - I'm lucky that none are proposed for near to me. My thing is that now all the prime locations for these are gone - given away - and we won't see a single thing from it. There will be feck all jobs, the energy is exported, and the best locations gone. Remind you of anything? Gas anyone?

They've given away one of last natural resources again.

I feel like saying bring back the FFers!!


Fran

[Rocker]

Thanks guys, a good start is half the journey.

This is interesting reading which I lifted from the Lwig Facebook page:
http://greensideup.ie/old-leighlin-wind ... ign=buffer

What Fran said is absolutely correct. The construction of these giant turbines is only half the story, each turbine needs several pylons to transfer the generated electricity to some central location. It is now obvious to all that the Eirgrid project is to facilitate the export of electric power to the UK and beyond. The fact that Waterford and Cork get a more reliable electricity supply is a happy by-product of the project. The Eirgrid project will be financed by you and I [and your neighbours, family and friends].

We believe that the construction of giant wind turbines in the Midlands of Ireland [Westmeath, Offaly, Laois, parts of Longford, Meath, Kildare, Carlow, Kilkenny & Tipperary] is only Phase 1 of the project.

Where will the turbines for Phase 2 & 3 go?

[Rocker]

Today is the last day for submissions to these guidelines. Thank you for submitting if you have done so and please do so today if you mean to but it slipped your mind.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/ ... CMP=twt_gu This appears to be the start of Phase 2.

http://www.lwig.net/cdp-refusal.htm The Government have refused to accept the Westmeath planning guidelines voted on by a large majority of Westmeath County Councillors. Ireland is in the process of losing any sense of democracy. This his happening now.