December 1, 2005
Wind farm action group pushes green agenda in fight against plans
Opponents of the proposed wind farm outside Burnham-On-Sea, pictured above, are to promote ‘green action’ in the area in order to take the wind out of those who say the group is simply ‘anti-green’.
The kNOll to Wind Farm action group says it is determined not to be labelled ‘anti-green’ as the debate continues over the plans to build five 300ft wind turbines at Edithmead, outside Burnham.
To prove its environmental credentials, the group has this week elected a new committee who will be dedicated to promoting ‘green action’ in the area.
It has already begun to lobby the local Sedgemoor council demanding that it widens the scope of its recycling policy, and is about to launch a drive to inform residents of the best way to make sure their homes and lifestyles help the environment.
“We believe there is a danger that the debate about the windfarm proposals becomes over simplified, into a ‘Pro-Green’ and ‘Anti-Green’ slanging match,” group spokesman Andrew Manning told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“We recognise that the issues are far more complex than that, and many of our supporters are very in favour of green-initiatives. Furthermore, our interpretation of many of the Green Party’s policies is that, in this, and other locations, wind farms may not be acceptable.”
“Commentary suggests that windfarms in the UK will, at best, have a marginal impact on ‘greening’the Nation as energy consumption and waste generation rises, and an even lesser impact on global warming.
“We have therefore chosen to use the commercial development proposals of Ecotricity as a stimulus to make the area ‘Greener’; to try and actively reduce our consumption of energy and generation of waste. Accordingly we have set up a Green Action Committee.”
Ecotricity, the Gloucestershire-based company behind the proposals, is preparing to submit a planning application for the turbines will produce enough electricity to power 8,000 homes. It is the third wind farm proposed for the area.
RELATED LINKS:
Ecotricity holds wind farm open day
New action group formed to fight wind farm
Council leader slams plans for wind farm
Huge new wind farm proposed for Edithmead
Ecotricity Web site
