Extracts from the RTS Dossier on: The Laois - Kilkenny Reinforcement - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Extracts from the RTS Dossier on: The Laois - Kilkenny Reinforcement Project 18th January 2018 Presentation to Ministers Naughten and Flanagan There are many other issues, technical and legal flaws involved in this project. For simplicity
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There are many other issues, technical and legal flaws involved in this project. For simplicity these are not presented here. Further detail can be provided on request.
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http://www.eirgridprojects.com/media/EIRG017%2021x7%20MockUp.pdf
note this ‘X’ as a reference point for maps on next slides This is where the existing 400kV and 110kV lines cross at Loughteeogue The notice below gives the impression that the process is only beginning…
but already completed
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We discovered the substation in Laois would be huge with a large number of connection points. This information was not volunteered, this was discovered through our own research.
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Leinster Express 18th May. 2010 but no information... Leinster Express 22nd June 2010
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Leinster Express 10th March 2013 .....still no information...
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(some relevant extracts from the Aarhus Convention)
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Routes decided and environmental reports being prepared!
Other Networks in the Midlands? FOR RENEWABLES!
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They started with the answer incl. routes… and drew the study area around it.
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October 2010 Extract from Eirgrid Presentation Mark Norton showing grid development at 2020
4 extra lines - forecast by 2020 in the RTS area
and cumulative impact not assessed!
EirGrid planned for this as far back as 2008
Note This Name!!
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In a search for justice we had to go outside Ireland
AN BORD PLEANALA / EIRGRID CAN'T BE TRUSTED
the previous evidence and more.
appeal by state authorities (using costs as a threat)
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*Electricity Transmission Network: Discussion with EirGrid (Continued) Wednesday, 4 December 2013 Dáil Joint Committee on Transport and Communications Debate
November 2013 EirGrid told oral hearing The Project is "not to facilitate the connection of renewable generation"
30th January 2013 - EirGrid finalise report connecting Wind export project to Laois GRID25 project. One of ONLY 4 connection points in the whole country!! EirGrid knew but withheld this information. 4th December 2013 - Did Fintan Slye mislead the Dáil too when he said "none of the projects in the Grid25 programme are connected with or have anything to do with the wind export projects" *,
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November 2013 EirGrid told oral hearing The Project is "not to facilitate the connection of renewable generation"
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EirGrid negotiating behind our backs to connect renewables to the substation
18th May 2016 - Pinewoods windfarm says "following detailed discussions with EirGrid, it has been agreed" that the windfarm can connect to the Laois-Kilkenny Project
November 2013 EirGrid told oral hearing The Project is "not to facilitate the connection of renewable generation"
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November 2013 EirGrid told oral hearing The Project is "not to facilitate the connection of renewable generation"
EirGrid negotiating behind our backs to connect renewables to the substation
and court case without disclosing the truth.
to threaten us out of court.
threatening solicitors letter for holding a phone on his own property. See planning inspectors report page 52
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This same substation went on fire twice i.e. even heavily monitored situations are a risk
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Water Table is only 1m below ground level
November 2013 EirGrid told oral hearing; Groundwater safe because the sands and gravels on the site are not saturated
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AN BORD PLEANALA CAN'T BE TRUSTED Why did An Bord Pleanala rely on out-of-date maps for GROUNDWATER RISK?
New map (above) shows larger areas of high groundwater vulnerability! This updated map was published in December 2013. Planning granted in April 2014.
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EirGrid breach extensive planning conditions + Construct elements for which no planning even applied for + Exceeded depth of excavations stated in planning application (max depth 2.4m but went approx. 4 m. Significant due to aquifer!) + LCC knew in advance
No independent baseline studies. We still don't know if the aquifer is damaged.
According to met-eireann, in April 2017; "All monthly rainfall totals across the country were below their Long-Term Average (LTA)” "Mullingar reporting … its driest April since the station opened in 1950.” See chart below which shows that Oak Park, Carlow had only 28% of its long term average rainfall
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Infrastructure Agreement clearly states EirGrid are responsible for all aspects of planning permission
some of the works commenced had never even been part of the original planning application
Laois County Council instructed speedy removal allowing EirGrid to remove evidence without complying with planning conditions
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LCC knew about planning breach in advance, waited as long as possible before site visit, accepted
for a site which required
and
aquifer with a high water table which feeds into an SAC This further development was simply accepted by Laois County Council effectively allowing the same breach of planning to occur twice without any investigation of impacts
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27th June 2017 Dáil Debate (Extracts) – Unauthorised Development by Eirgrid
Deputy Sean Fleming: "I personally believe that some of the documentation it has submitted to An Bord Pleanala is
had planning permission prior to lodging a commencement notice" It has been dishonest in its dealings with what it submitted to An Bord Pleanala. It has been dishonest with Laois County Council. I am very concerned that EirGrid has shown a lack of candour in briefing the Minister today with what I would call the harmless response it drafted." "In its dealings with An Bord Pleanala it is calling this "minor alterations" because it knows that if it asks for retention, which is the reality, there is no provision in law to give retention for works covered by an area that required an appropriate assessment as carried out by An Bord Pleanala. It is telling An Bord Pleanala that works have not even commenced. It is looking for permission to do these proposed works. Everything about its submission is dishonest and fraudulent. It must withdraw from site unilaterally, completely and forever."
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Deputy Brian Stanley: "I have requested that it informs us immediately of the full extent of what is planned in that area. It has broken the law and disregarded the planning process." ..."the planning process on this project is in tatters". Deputy Denis Naughten: "It came to light that the works were proceeding without the planning conditions being discharged by Laois County Council, including the erection of a temporary pylon."... ... "No further works will take place until the necessary planning conditions have been agreed in writing with the planning authority, which is Laois County Council.
Minister Flanagans statements at RTS EGM
“There has been a clear breach of law,” said Deputy Flanagan, recently appointed as Minister for Justice and who had met representatives from EirGrid in the past week as well as Denis Naughten, Minister for Communication and his party colleagues Heather Humphries and Regina Doherty who have experience of something similar in their constituencies. “The breach is sufficiently serious to abandon the project. I don’t believe there is any way back for EirGrid. They should pack up their machinery and should not come back.”
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"No provision in law to give retention for works covered by an area that required an appropriate assessment" ...but An Bord Pleanala granted permission.
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Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) CAN'T BE TRUSTED to protect the interests of citizens or consumers
See Wind Aware Report Launched 15th November 2017 Laois-Kilkenny Project is a case study
Economists Colm McCarthy and Cormac Lucey have both written about it
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Since 2008 EirGrid Board only review reduced papers for Capital Projects How can EirGrid board 'hold management to account' 'collectively' if some of them are involved in filtering and putting board papers forward?
Sub-group effectively pre-approves
"1. Role of the Board - Principles The Board is responsible for holding the CEO and senior management to account for the effective performance of their responsibilities. 1.4 Collective Responsibility: The collective responsibility and authority of the Board should be safeguarded. All Board members should be afforded the opportunity to fully contribute to Board deliberations, and where necessary to provide constructive challenge, while excessive influence on Board decision-making by one or more individual members should be guarded against. 1.7 Matters for Decision of the Board: The Board should have a formal schedule of matters specifically reserved for it for decision to ensure that the direction and control of the State body is firmly in its hands (some of these matters may require Ministerial approval). This schedule should include, at least, the following:
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(these are almost identical to 2009 version)
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We Note the Minister has responsibility for Governance of the following parties involved: ESB, EIRGRID and a legal DUTY OF CARE to act on our concerns. (Post-meeting clarification: It is our understanding that CRU (previously CER) are subject to Regulatory Corporate Governance by DCCAE. Minister Naughten clarified on 18/01/2018 that CRU are answerable to a Joint Oireachtas Committee and that the protection of Groundwater by EPA & Local Authorities is through DHPCLG. The governance arrangements surrounding CRU require further clarification.)
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Please note: this information has been gathered and prepared by local families and farmers in Laois under stressful conditions where the local community have had to stand up against well resourced State Agencies. It presents a short overview of information gathered in an almost decade long ongoing attempt to highlight the systematic failures and risks surrounding the Laois-Kilkenny Reinforcement Project.