Ministers at war over secret wind farm evidence
I think this article reveals the ongoing “marmite effect” of wind farm development. People either love or hate them. It is interesting that DECC seem highly sensitive to any criticism whilst Defra are far more open minded about questioning their value. I must check how my own local authority’s presumption against them is working in practice (albeit they -Lincolnshire CC are not the planning authority). “The newspaper has learnt that a new Government row over wind farms is blocking a report that could provide official confirmation that the controversial turbines can harm rural areas. Sources have said that the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) — run by Ed Davey, a Liberal Democrat — wants to stop Owen Paterson, the Conservative Environment Secretary, publishing a major report that he has commissioned on renewable energy and the rural economy. Mr Paterson, a known opponent of onshore wind farms, is understood to be furious at the attempts to stifle his department and is said to be “determined” to publish the findings. In June, he said that onshore turbines were often regarded as a “complete scam”. Opponents of wind farms claim that they are unsightly and are an inefficient method of energy generation. Sources in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) tonight claimed that figures in Mr Davey’s department were more concerned about “ideology” than scientific evidence. “This is our department,” a source said. “We are doing this report. It is part of our remit.” It is claimed that figures in the DECC are concerned that the report, which has not been completed, could include negative conclusions about how renewable energy affects the rural economy. “They don’t want information out there that would allow people to challenge the energy solution that they are going after,” the source added. David Cameron this month signalled his growing opposition to onshore wind farms, saying that there is now “limited potential” for the technology in the UK.”