Energy revolution and nature conservation now: Making hydropower possible
Energy revolution and nature conservation now: Making hydropower possible
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Rheinland-Pfalz is not fulfilling its responsibility in the energy turnaround. The hydroelectric power station in Euteneuen has not operated for years and the surrounding forest is dying.
Rheinland-Pfalz´s Environment Ministry finally has to act. We demand green electricity from Rheinland-Pfalz and at the same time the rescue of the naturally protected alluvial forest in Euteneuen!
Two brothers, who couldn't be more different, but we - David and Constantin - are twins who have always had one thing in common: We love nature and are committed to climate protection.
At the current time, it is not technically possible to store electricity for long time periods. In the course of the energy turnaround, we therefore need a decentralized power supply.
Mrs. Anne Spiegel, please finally operate the approval procedure with the necessary transparency and enable the power plant to be commissioned!
We are both convinced that we humans will one day achieve the energy turnaround.
Unfortunately, a few days ago we stumbled across a story that shaken our convictions and unfortunately describes perfectly why the energy turnaround in Germany is not progressing.
It is about a small hydroelectric power station that is not being used because of bureaucratic hurdles. Using this clean energy source would be an important step in the right direction and it would send a signal that we truly desire the energy turnaround.
Say YES to the ENERGY TURNOVER and SIGN this PETITION!
But first let us tell the story...
Even before 1869, hydroelectric power was used at the river Sieg in Euteneuen. But since December 2015 the turbine stands still.
The reason for this: The water right has expired. The Struktur- und Genehmigungsdirektion Nord (local authority), as well as the former Minister of Environment of Rheinland- Pfalz, Mrs. Ulrike Höfken, refuse to conduct a licensing procedure with the necessary transparency and thereby prevent the activation of the power plant.
The use of hydroelectric power could save approx. 1,200 tons of CO2 per year, and 1.2 million kilowatt hours of clean, green electricity could be generated! This would supply almost 375 households with clean, sustainable electricity.
The European Renewable Energy Directive of 11 December 2018 aims to promote the expansion of renewable energies as part of a package of initiatives to combat climate change. In our view, the state of Rheinland-Pfalz is also committed to achieve this goal.
The bizarre thing about the situation appears to be that the approval process has already been on-going for 3 years. The approval procedure is being handled very slowly by the Struktur- und Genehmigungsdirektion Nord and there is obviously little interest of the authorities. Offers of discussions by potential operators and the consultation of technical experts were rejected by the SGD Nord. Obviously, there is a lack of willingness to support hydropower.
In parallel to the approval procedure, the state of Rheinland-Pfalz has lowered the floodgate, draining the adjacent protected alluvial forest. The state has already announced further measures to dismantle the floodgate, although it is not exactly clarified who actually owns the floodgate.
Over several centuries the alluvial forest has developed into a biotope for many animal and insect species. The habitat of these animals is now threatened or, if the flood barrier continues to be lowered, is destroyed.
The reservoir area was used by third parties in public interest, including the local fire brigade. The local fishermen's association is also supporting the reactivation of the hydroelectric power plant in Euteneuen.
In this context, we do not understand the actions of the state of Rheinland-Pfalz and the responsible authorities. Here, people are actively engaged in order to counteract climate change and are simply blocked by an incomprehensible and intransparent approval procedure.
Dear State of Rheinland-Pfalz: If we want to achieve climate change and the required energy turnaround and, above all, take it seriously, we must support such projects instead of dropping the engagement in the beginning.
The EU and its member states have agreed on ambitious climate objectives and these are also essential to guarantee the continued existence of our planet Earth. For this we need committed people, but above all we need a policy that actively supports renewable energies. Why destroy our own living space when we can save it?
THAT IS WHY WE DEMAND - NO, RATHER, WE SHOULD ALL DEMAND - THE APPROVAL AND OPERATION OF THE POWER PLANT IN EUTENEUEN!
Sign this petition and share it with your friends, relatives and acquaintances. Let us show that we love our earth!
For Further Readings:
https://www.siegener-zeitung.de/kirchen/c-lokales/fake-news-zum-wehr-euteneuen_a178252#gallery=null