Should Tynwald get final approval over renewable energy projects?

Members vote to reaffirm support for existing 'robust and established processes'

Should Tynwald have greater authority over renewable energy projects that would impact the Isle of Man?

That's what the Island's parliament spent today (20 May) debating following a motion brought forward by Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse.

He wanted members to commit to acknowledging that 'while renewable energy has a role in the Island’s future, it should not be pursued at any cost and should be delivered in a way that protects our environment, respects local communities, and represents genuine value for money'.

"That Tynwald is of the opinion that changing the energy balance toward renewable resources can be achieved, but should be done without a negative environmental impact and should embrace affordable and appropriate mechanisms; while renewable energy has a role in the Island’s future, it should not be pursued at any cost, and should instead be delivered in a way that protects our environment, respects local communities, and represents genuine value for money." - Mr Moorhouse's original motion as brought to Tynwald

AMEND PLANNING LAWS?

But Glenfaba and Peel MHK Kate Lord-Brennan wanted his motion to go a step further.

She sought that it be amended to include the promise that every 'nationally significant' wind turbine project be 'subject to ultimate approval by Tynwald as a final step', critiquing what she said is currently 'narrow political involvement'.

Her amendment was seconded in the court by Onchan MHK Julie Edge.

Ms Lord-Brennan said as recent efforts to update legislation to potentially allow a referendum didn't go forward, the closest the Island's population could get to having a say would be for Tynwald to represent them:

She also advocated for the amendment of existing planning laws, namely the Town and Country Planning Act 1999 and the Marine Infrastructure Management Act 2016 to support her arguments.

(Ms Lord-Brennan's proposed amendment)

Ultimately, members voted to dismiss Ms Lord-Brennan's amendment by 11 for and 13 against in the House of Keys, and zero for, six against in Legislative Council.

ROBUST PROCESSES

Meanwhile, a sperate amendment to Mr Moorhouse's motion was tabled by Douglas East MHK, and Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister, Clare Barber.

She said the original motion was 'reasonable in seeking to encourage the sustainable development of energy infrastructure', but argued it was 'incomplete' because 'effective and established processes that encourage precisely what the honourable member wishes to see' are already in place:

She instead proposed a re-wording.

Her amendment was seconded by Douglas Central MHK, and Treasury Minister, Chris Thomas.

In the end, Mrs Barber's amended motion won out. 

Members of the House of Keys supported it 16 for, eight against, and all six Legislative Council members also voted in favour.

The motion as amended was then also passed, with 17 votes for and seven against in the Keys, and six for, none against in LegCo.

MUA

Manx Utilities Authority Chairman - and Douglas North MHK - John Wannenburgh told members whilst the Island's green energy future is certainly a divisive topic at the moment, 'doing nothing is not neutral' and also defended the work of the authority.

He said: "There is no fifth column at play here. We are talking about decent local people, qualified, professional individuals of a Manx organisation, trying to do a difficult job in good faith".

He also questioned the approach of discounting the 'wider public benefit' of projects due to impacts:

Manx Utilities says work on an onshore windfarm project is continuing and more information will be shared when the proposals are ‘sufficiently developed’.