Of course, bird societies will argue that the money will be spent on conservation. The flaw in the ointment is: they would control it all - how the money is spent, who would be hired for the job, how much he/she will be paid to do it, etc. Besides, "mitigating" the death of protected species at windfarms by "managing" a piece of woodland nearby is tantamount to
killing the babies but building a nursery.
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Link)
Here is the translation by the Google automatic translator (if someone can have it refined, it would be appreciated - just advise me first so that I may advise others - this way your effort will not be duplicated by someone else):
The Environmental Association Nabu puts wind farm operators under pressure: either donate, or be sued. Affected speak of "tolls".
The decision of the Administrative Court was a shock to the operator of the small farms in the province of Hesse: Per immediate enforcement, five of seven windmills shut down after six months operation - although initially existed all permits. The reason: An appeal of the Naturschutzbund Nabu, Hesse Land Association. Now, the investors faced heavy losses. The plants would probably not for years may be put into operation, a legal battle with an uncertain outcome was imminent.
Since the beginning of December to turn the turbines that are in a little forest about 30 km east of Giessen, back swinging. The Nabu has withdrawn his complaint. This is thanks to an amazing agreement that causes the wind power industry great anger and uncertainty.
Turning to country
Recovery: The development of wind power on land was in recent years far behind the record high, which was reached beginning of the millennium. While wind turbines are still by far the cheapest source of green power. Therefore, the expansion is now going faster again. But in the south, the building is worth only in the windiest locations. Another problem: Despite the efforts of many countries lack the space. In the approval process, environmental associations play a crucial role.
The operator of the wind farm, the company Hesse energy and the civic wind farm, paid 500 000 euro into a conservation fund, to be managed by a foundation of the Nabu. Thus, according to Kessinger habitat enhancement for the red kite bird of prey can be operated. This is to investigate whether small mammals at the foot of wind turbines attract birds and therefore at risk. The most unintentionally ambiguous name of the project: "Mice for Milan."
Horst Meixner, director of Hesse Energy has approved the transfer of the money with a heavy heart. "We could not afford not to comply with the proposal of Nabu." Even the few-month shutdown of the plant have caused a total loss of around one million euros. "Since we have chosen the lesser evil, and agreed with the Nabu." One of the decommissioned plants owned by a local civic wind farm. Some investors and investors therefore threatened even the personal bankruptcy - accordingly, the anger was also on site.
Meixner fears but by the actions of Nabu, negative consequences far beyond the project and speaks of a taboo nature of the association. "The tolls for wind turbines has been requested. It can not be that the lawsuit threats payments Nabu systematically sought. "For the most annoying he thinks that it's only gone to problems in spatial planning. "Clear conservation concerns, there was not."
Payment arouses
The different looks of Nabu. The plants were in a corridor for migratory birds, he argues. Therefore, the association was looking for a compromise. The result was a "meaningful individual solution" is. Become a standard action waiver against a deposit fund does not give. The Nabu wanted where it allow the conservation, not hinder the development of wind power and would agree that two percent of the land area for wind turbines available. This is the area which is a significant expansion of wind power is generally considered necessary. But: "The energy revolution is there a problem where it is unregulated and without regard to the protection of biological diversity." Goal of Nabu was there to direct the wind on nature-friendly locations.
After researching this paper, there is another case where no money flowed, the Nabu but his foundation could perform valuable land. A wind farm with five facilities in the town of Bad Endbach northwestern Hesse was delayed by a year due to objections of Nabu. In the end, an agreement which provided that two windmills degraded arable converted to grassland and a power cable to be laid underground. And: A two-acre wooded area is transferred from the municipality to the Nabu-Hessian Heritage Foundation. This is the Nabu confirmed on request.
Despite the protestations of the tip of Nabu Hesse: The discharge payment of EUR 500 000 has awakened desires - and in their own organization. Konrad Volkhardt, chief of Nabu-District Association Werra-Meissner in northern Hesse wants to raise the principle "approval of wind power plants in exchange for money" for the duration model for Nabu. "We want to ensure that about half a million euros are per small wind farm in an environmental foundation. For this, we would then forgo lawsuits. "
By the wind turbine construction in the coming years, he hopes for a Heritage Foundation Werra-Meissner around five million euros in capital. The money could then be bought land for environmental protection and management. Volkhardt stressed that "not a cent" would go directly into the coffers of Nabu. The Foundation, however, would be controlled inter alia by Kessinger says Volkhardt.
Criminal charges considered
In the wind power sector alarm bells - even outside Hesse. "This is the start of Nabu in the protection money industry," said Johannes Lackmann. The former chief of the Federation of renewable energy and CEO of Westphalia wind is considering at present even a criminal complaint for the taking place in his view "blackmail" by Nabu. "This must as a business model for environmental organizations in no case do school," he says. "The behavior of Nabu is a blatant example of the power of the association claim completely out of hand," outraged Lackmann.
Of Nabu, who already belong to the best-funded environmental organizations procure, now indirectly an additional revenue source. "Sets are by this model, then it is like a special levy on the energy revolution and will hinder the expansion of wind power strong." The Kessinger used his special powers "shamelessly" from.
The environmental organizations in Germany have indeed a special privilege. Normally, only victims sue, even when it comes to environmental issues. But when nature allowed approximately 50 associations sue on behalf of nature. How they deal with this privilege is for the energy transition to a crucial question. Because of complaints they can bog down the expansion of Ökokraftwerken and power lines often for years - largely independent of whether their concern is justified or not. Since 2002, the class action is regulated nationwide, before it was purely national matter. Following a judgment of the European Court, the right of collective action by conservation groups has recently even be extended. So far there is little criticism of the class action - also because the federations so far overall responsibly.
Money or in kind to consent - this approach brings the Nabu not only harsh criticism by Windmüller. Even from the other side, he makes himself vulnerable. The Citizens' Initiative (BI) Holzhausen had vehemently set against the wind turbines project of Bad Endbach vigorously. "We feel betrayed by Nabu," says Reinhold Leinweber of the BI. The Nabu, his accusation, "has come up with its approval of the project simply buy".
