Ap mayor Linda Døsen Stubsveen in Rendalen takes us up to the mountains. She shows us how far Rendalsfjella stretches. The elongated planes are covered in reindeer lichen, and the heather is still blooming. In the south lie the peaks of the Sølen massif. – This is the heart of Rendalen. And the large, wide-open landscapes are unique. They are the most important thing we have, says Linda Døsen Stubsveen. Already in 2019, NVE identified the area as suitable for wind turbines. The municipality said no that time. And no wind power company has asked to develop wind power here. But Mayor Linda is never completely safe, for her the battle is not over. – We must be careful, and we must stand up for nature. She uses much of the election campaign to speak against wind power. Both in your own municipality, but also elsewhere in the country. Resistance is growing Of the 61 wind power plants in Norway, 3 are located inland. In comparison, there are 17 wind power plants in Rogaland and 17 in Trøndelag. Leader of Motvind Noreg, John Fiskvik, says that they are monitoring 55 new municipalities throughout the country, where they know there are plans, sketches or thoughts about establishing new wind power plants. Also in the interior. – But the vulnerable nature and cultural heritage here in the unique mountain areas must be protected against such interventions, says Fiskvik. And for the opponents of wind power in this part of the country, the mayor of Rendalen is an example. Do you think we should have more wind power plants? 🌍 Yes, absolutely! 💯 A bit uncertain… No, now that’s enough! 🚫 Show result Verdiane Linda Døsen Stubsveen believes the natural crisis is as bad as the climate crisis. She does not buy the argument that her municipality does not take responsibility. The municipality already owns a hydropower plant and has plans for a solar power plant. – Energy crisis and climate crisis must be juxtaposed. – It should be valued much more highly that someone cares for nature, instead of saying yes to quick income from a wind power plant. – For us, what the neighboring municipalities do in the end has a lot to say. The landscape is so open and a wind farm in a neighboring municipality will also be shown from our mountains. And the young mayor also has the chairmanship behind him. They have asked her to hold a meeting with neighboring municipalities that have not taken a final position on wind power. TOUR GUIDE: Rendalsfjella was for a time relevant for wind power, no one has plans there anymore. Nevertheless, Motvind Innlandet arranges a guided tour here before the election. Photo: Frode Meskau / news Will sweep for own door The neighboring municipality in the north is Tynset. Mayor Merete Myhre Moen (Sp) does not think the neighbor should decide what they do. She will not say no to wind power without having discussed it in the municipal council. – No one is willing to sit in the dark. The energy required to meet the climate target is enormous. Everyone can’t turn a blind eye and say they don’t want to contribute, says Myhre Moen. She says she will put the question on the agenda if she becomes mayor again after the election. Engerdal to decide The mayor of Engerdal, Line Storsnes (Sp), has already had a visit from his mayoral colleague. Because already next week, they will take the first election that could lead to a wind power plant being built in their mountains. – Linda has every right to say what she thinks. But here we have to decide for ourselves, says Storsnes. ASKS FOR CALM: Mayor Line Storsnes asks for calm to make the right choice for Engerdal. The chairmanship there will say yes or no to opening a wind power plant on 6 September. Photo: Frode Meskau / news On September 6, the chairmanship will have its first meeting here about a new area subdivision plan. Among the many entered into the plan, there is one from the wind power company Norsk Vind. They are asking the municipality to set aside an area for a wind power plant in Buhøgda/Gråkletten, with between 10 and 30 turbines. – What we have to consider is whether we should say no now, or say yes to an impact assessment being prepared. Now Storsnes does not want to say anything stupid about wind turbines or the sub-area plan, until it comes to the chairmanship. – On the one hand, the municipality needs money to provide residents with good services. And on the other side, large and unique natural resources are at stake, says Storsnes. For this, she has received harsh criticism and strong characterizations from wind power opponents on Facebook. And the village is divided. It has been so tough that she herself has come out on her own side and asked for respect because she wants to wait to take a stand. Facts about Rendalen, Engerdal and Trysil The three neighboring municipalities in Nord-Østerdal are fringe municipalities with large natural resources. Trysil stands out for being one of the country’s largest cottage municipalities.RendalenFlateinnhald: 3176.5 km2 Houses and roads have been built on 7.3 km2 (source: SSB). The rest is a bit of cultivated land, but mostly mountains, forests, marshes and lakes. Population: 1824 SSB’s forecasts show a population decline of just under 100 people until 2030. But last year it increased due to the settlement of Ukrainian refugees Average age: 50 years Rendalen has income from Rendalen power plant. And they are planning a solar park near the center of the municipality. Business: Mainly public servants, primary industries and tourism. EngerdalFlateinhald: 2196.54 km2 Of this, approx. 4 km2 has been built up by roads and houses. The rest is a little cultivated land, but the rest is mountains, bogs, forests and water. (Source: Statistics Norway) Population: 1384 Statistics Norway’s forecasts show a population decline of around 100 people by 2030. Business: Mainly public employees, primary industries and tourism. Trysil Area content: 2940 km2 Of this, 14 km2 is built up by roads and houses. And not least cabins. Some is arable land, but the rest is mountains, bogs, forests and lakes. Population: 6569 SSB’s forecasts show a population decline of around 100 people by 2030. Industry: Tourism. 7,000 cabins, and thus one of the largest cabin municipalities in the country. Public servants. Primary industries Money in the municipal coffers Further south, in Trysil and Åmot, the Rasskiftet wind power plant is already owned. Mayor Erik Sletten in Trysil believes that the Rendal mayor has every right to influence his neighbours. – But each municipality must have good, democratic processes before anyone possibly says yes to wind power, because it is a major intervention in nature. – In addition, light and sound come from the wind turbines, which affect those in the vicinity. EXPERIENCE: Trysil has experience with wind power plants and this year they are taking in 15 million from Rasskiftet. But mayor Erik Sletten has doubts whether there is more nature to give up to wind power in Østerdalen now. Photo: Frode Meskau / news But he adds that a wind power plant has at least two advantages. One is that it produces energy. And the second is that it generates income. For Trysil’s part, it is around 15 million this year. – This is important income for us, says Erik Sletten. In addition, landowners tend to have turbines on their land. Everyone must contribute. Jon Kristiansen in NHO Innlandet says there are many plans in Innlandet now that need more renewable power. – Therefore, I have a clear encouragement to the politicians to have the demanding conversation in the municipal council about what the municipalities can contribute by developing renewable energy. Whether it’s on wind, water or sun. IN STONE: Villagers liked this quote by veterinarian and author Halvor Paus so much – that they wrote it in stone. Photo: Frode Meskau / news WIND POWER IN THE INLAND: Rasskiftet power plant in Trysil/Åmot, Kjølberget in Våler and in Odalen Wind power in Odalen.
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Labor mayor Linda Døsen Stubsveen in Rendalen stands up against wind power – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
