The Moderates’ Party Presents Proposals to Change Municipal Veto for Wind Power
The Moderates’ party board has unveiled its proposals ahead of the party’s general meeting in Umeå in a few weeks. These proposals cover a wide range of policy areas and are summarized by the slogan “Safer, greener, freer.”
One of the key proposals put forth by the party is to change the current municipal veto for wind power. Under the current system, municipalities can reject wind power installations relatively late in the process. The party management aims to force municipalities to give notice earlier.
In their bill, the party leadership argues that too often, the veto comes in late in the handling process without any requirement for justification. They assert that this delays the expansion of wind power and creates unnecessary costs for both the private and public sectors. The Moderates believe that wind power offers the best option for increasing fossil-free electricity production on a large scale in the short term.
Karin Enström, the party’s secretary, clarified that they do not intend to eliminate the veto entirely. Rather, they seek to create a mix of solar, wind, water, and nuclear power, as building nuclear power plants takes time. Enström emphasized the importance of local acceptance regarding climate change and believes that allowing municipalities to intervene earlier in the process is a positive step.
However, this issue may face further discussion at the upcoming party meeting. Oliver Rosengren, the union chairman for the Moderates in Kronoberg, proposes expanding the municipal veto to include all wind turbines that affect residents in a municipality, rather than limiting it to turbines located within the municipality or of a specific height.
Anna Tenje, the Minister of Social Security and second vice-chairman of the party board, acknowledges that wind power can be a contentious topic. She recognizes that not everyone wants wind power in their municipality, referring to it as a “bumpy and wet” issue.
The changes to the municipal veto for wind power put forward by the Moderates are expected to generate significant debate and discussion within the party and among the general public. As the party prepares for its general meeting, it remains to be seen whether these proposals will be adopted and what impact they may have on the future of wind power in Sweden.