Loga sámegillii. – When there is a conflict that cannot be resolved politically, it is only natural to go to the courts to resolve it, says Sámi Parliament President Silje Karine Muotka to news. The Sami Parliament Council has previously advocated that the Melkøya decision must be overturned and reminded that the Sami Parliament must be consulted on Sami matters. They now believe that this has not been respected and that there have thus been no political processes about the consequences of the Melkøya decision. Electrification of Melkøya Photo: Allan Klo / news At a press conference in Hammerfest on Tuesday 8 August 2023, the government presented a plan for the electrification of the gas plant on Melkøya. One of the government’s main messages is that the electrification will facilitate the operation of the plant on Melkøya to be maintained until 2040. They describe the electrification as “the largest, single climate measure ever decided by a Norwegian government, and a historic power and industrial boost for the northernmost part of our country – where we are completely dependent on a strong civilian presence”. The electrification will lead to a sharp increase in electricity consumption in the area. The government writes that conversion from gas to full operation with power from the grid means an increase in power consumption on Melkøya of 360 MW. At the same time, it was made clear that the aim is to build out the much disputed 420 kV line between Skaidi and Hammerfest, and then to Varangerbotn in Eastern Finnmark. The government will assume that the electrification will take place in 2030. If sufficient power production has not been developed by that time, the gas power plant will be able to continue as it is today until 2033. – We believe that the Melkøya decision can be challenged in court because it is neither sufficient investigated or consulted, and then the ordinary rules for case management have been broken, says the Sámi Parliament president. – This is about legal certainty in land management in Norway, she adds. What the Sámi Parliament believes the state has breached is the duty of consultation. The state, county councils and municipalities have a duty to consult with the Sami Parliament and other Sami interests in matters that concern them. The lawsuit comes after NVE has decided on 12 power projects that will proceed to a new consultation round in Finnmark. These projects will contribute to the electrification of the gas plant at Hammerfest. NOT LISTENED TO: The Sámi Parliament president believes they have not been consulted in the Melkøya case. Photo: Håkon Mudenia / news Skepticism towards electrification Criticism rained down after the Støre government in the election campaign last year gave Equinor the go-ahead to electrify the gas plant on Melkøya by 2030. The government believes the measure is “the largest single climate measure ever decided by a Norwegian government”. FOR ELECTRIFICATION: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum and Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland hold a press conference on electrification in 2023. Photo: Terje Haugnes / news The plant on Melkøya is currently powered by a gas power plant which accounts for the third largest single emission of carbon dioxide per year in Norway. By operating the plant with electricity from land, emissions of greenhouse gases will be cut by 850,000 tonnes. Since the announcement, the Sami Parliament has been critical of these plans. – It is completely unacceptable that the government announces the electrification of Melkøya in this way. Such a decision shows that the government is setting aside all promises about consideration for Sami rights holders, said the president of the Sami Parliament following the announcement. – The promise of strengthened dialogue with the Sámi Parliament also seems to be empty words. But she now clarifies that: – Fundamentally, it is not the government’s political desire for a power lift in Finnmark that is our concern here, but the fact that we believe there are serious procedural errors, says the Sámi Parliament president. Earlier this month, the council was authorized by the Sámi Parliament’s plenum to take legal action against the state in this case. The Sami Parliament president tells news that she has informed Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre about the lawsuit. – Not a climate project, but a gift to Equinor Storting representative Une Bastholm, who is on the energy and environment committee, is clear which side the Green Party is on. SAD: Une Bastholm (MDG) believes it is sad and serious that indigenous people have to sue the state in order to be properly consulted in line with human rights. Photo: William Jobling / news – That indigenous people have to sue the state in order to be properly consulted in line with human rights is really embarrassing for Norway, and completely unheard of, says Bastholm. Bastholm believes that the lawsuit could have been avoided if the Storting’s wish for carbon capture on Melkøya had been really considered. – Let it be clear: Electrification of Melkøya is not a climate project, but a gift to Equinor. The major interventions in reindeer pastures and nature could have been avoided if the emissions had been removed with carbon capture, rather than electrification. Willing to protest – We fully agree with the Sami Parliament’s decision to sue the state for this. DEPUTY LEADER: Anja Jernsletten is deputy leader of the Sami youth organization Noereh Photo: Privat That’s what deputy leader of the Sami youth organization Noereh, Anja Jernsletten, tells news. She believes it is an issue that has affected many people in the Sami community in terms of land encroachment. – Just the fact that two out of three in the north say no to the decision that has been adopted by the state, it is of course an issue that we are willing to protest and demonstrate against, says Jernsletten. – We will have to follow how the scope turns out. It is of course an issue that we are willing to protest and demonstrate against, she adds. Do you think they have not breached their duty In an e-mail to news, State Secretary Elisabeth Sæther in the Ministry of Energy writes that they have not breached their duty to consult. State Secretary Elisabeth Sæther in the Ministry of Energy. Photo: Johan Moen / news – The government does not share the Sámi Parliament’s description of the Melkøya decisions and the power and industry promise for Finnmark. The government or the ministries have not breached the obligation to consult in connection with the electrification of Melkøya or the power and industry promise for Finnmark. – The Sámi Parliament was consulted in the part of the Melkøya case that directly affects Sámi interests. The ministry takes note that the Sámi Parliament has notified a lawsuit, writes Sæther. Published 25.06.2024, at 18.13 Updated 26.06.2024, at 07.12
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The Sámi Parliament is suing the state – believes they have not been respected – news Sápmi
