Centre Party call for reservoirs challenges government cohesion

Pekkarinen says present government can decide on Vuotos

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Voices from the Centre Party are growing louder for a decision on the establishment of the proposed Vuotos and Kollaja reservoirs in Finnish Lapland during the term of the present coalition government.
      Under the existing government programme, changes in water legislation require the unanimous decision of the government. However, some Centre Party ministers have begun to consider the possibility of harnessing more hydroelectric power without amendments to water legislation. If this were possible, authorisation could be given to the reservoirs even if there were dissent in the government.
      Under the present water law, rapids must not be harnessed for hydroelectric power if such a move would cause significant damage to the natural balance of the environment.
     
The initiative has been seen as a provocation by some of the government partners. Green League chairwoman, Minister of Labour Tarja Cronberg called the initiative "completely irresponsible".
      Outspoken conservation advocate, Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Pertti Salolainen (Nat. Coalition Party), characterised the moves as "surprising and baffling".
      Foreign Trade and Development Minister Paavo Väyrynen (Centre) says that the government can interpret its programme in such a way that the establishment of the Vuotos reservoir can be implemented through a separate law, which would make it possible to sidestep the unanimity clause for changing water legislation.
      "Naturally during this term", said Minister of Economic Affairs Mauri Pekkarinen (Centre) when asked about when the work on the Vuotos reservoir might begin. He says that the reservoir would bring much-needed generating capacity to balance out periods of peak consumption.
     
Pekkarinen is preparing the government's climate and energy strategy. His proposal is expected to be put forward before the summer. He says that it will include a call for a decision on Vuotos either with a change in legislation or without it.
      Pekkarinen is not concerned about opposition to the idea from the Greens. "Leaving the matter without examination for fear that someone might oppose it later would be irresponsible."
      According to Labour Minister Cronberg, it is clear that the Vuotos reservoir cannot be built without changes in water legislation. She is holding the rest of the government to the principle of unanimity on the matter. "Our stand will hold. We are against the construction of Vuotos."
     
Pertti Salolainen sees the moves taken by the Centre Party to be a public attack against the law on protecting rapids. He adds that the initiatives are disrespectful toward the principles of the government programme, and toward decisions by the highest courts. "This exceeds the bounds of propriety."
      Salolainen sees the moves as a Centre Party strategy aiming for the next government term.
      He admits, however, that there are pressures coming from the National Coalition Party as well in the matter. "I am probably in the minority."
     
One possible motive in the revived interest of the Centre Party for taking up the reservoir projects again is the need to create jobs in the north of Finland to offset the ones lost by the closure of the Kemijärvi pulp mill.
      Salolainen notes that the joy would be short-lived, as the employment boost would be limited to the time of the actual construction work.
     
Both Salolainen and Cronberg note that the benefit would be minimal compared to the environmental damage.
      "All in all this is a broad attack against traditional values of nature conservation. Climate change is used as a tool, so that everything is for sale", Salolainen says.
      The Supreme Administrative Court issued a "final decision" to forbid the construction of a reservoir at Vuotos some five years ago.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Supreme Administrative Court denies building permit for Vuotos reservoir (19.12.2002)
  BREAKING NEWS: Court rules against construction of Vuotos reservoir and power plant (18.12.2002)

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