Eco groups warn energy bill opens Pandora’s box

File photo.

A nationalist consultation connected an Environment Ministry measure drew unusually precocious participation, closing with astir 700 comments. The draught legislation, titled, “Modernizing Renewable Energy Production Law,” sparked aggravated absorption implicit two cardinal provisions.

The archetypal designates “acceleration zones” for renewable vigor projects extracurricular Natura protected areas, where standard biology licensing would not apply. WWF Greece warned the EU directive’s transposition is being done “in a fragmentary, delayed mode with omissions,” ultimately “undermining a due transition to renewables.” The Hellenic Ornithological Society criticized the deliberate omission of wildlife sensitivity maps from the draft.

The 2nd contested proviso would let municipality improvement within Natura 2000 zones. Twelve biology organizations jointly warned the connection “opens Pandora’s container for degrading protected areas under the guise of municipality planning.” The Greek Association of Urban-Regional Planners called the regulation’s consequences “incalculable, perchance uncontrollable and catastrophic“ for ecologically delicate areas.