Assessment of the environmental report against the “Itsaraz” wind power plant
- On January 16, the Ministry of Energy Transition of the Administration of Madrid published the environmental impact statement about the “Itsaraz” project that we were looking forward to and worried about. The resolution expresses a decision that is as firm as it is clear against this macro-project.
It has been two and a half years since Statkraft announced its intention to install 8 wind turbines of 200 meters in Durakogai, Gamborralde, in the Sierra de Asensiomendi. Along with this, the project foresaw the crossing of the valley by a 14-kilometer high-voltage line to transport the electricity produced at the plant to the Atxondo substation.
Although the data can help to represent the dimension of the project, there are other aspects that are not so easy to measure: how much does the mountain cost? How many rural areas? How much is the effort of the people who want to live in it worth? How many native fauna and ecosystems? In the town of Aramaio, as in many towns of the Basque Country and the rest of the world, we know that projects like this cause wounds and pains that are not included in the numbers, the cement structure of the AVE reminds us of this every day.
We hope that the ministerial resolution will be a milestone in relation to other macro-projects
From Aramaixo Bizirik we value very positively the latest ministerial resolution. This is encouraging news and we hope that it will be an important milestone in the face of the other macro-projects that are being proposed around us. Likewise, this resolution clearly shows that the tireless work of citizens and collectives dedicated to the defense of the land can lead to significant results.
Most sincere thanks to the people of Aramaio and the Municipal Government, whose opposition has played an important role
We would like to express our sincere thanks to the people of Aramaio and the Municipal Government, as we are clear that the opposition to the project has played an important role. Many Aramaios participated in the deliberative process on energy and specifically on the central “Itsaraz” and based on the conclusions of this process, the City Council filed a motion against the project. This motion was widely supported by citizen signatures.
We do not forget the support that other groups and collectives have offered us at all times during this time. We would like you to consider it as if it were your victory and also that of every single individual who has come together to sign allegations against the project.
Reading and reflections
Capitalism exploits nature, bodies, lives... and mutates itself from crisis to crisis. Assimilate words and fabricate beliefs and desires. Now in the name of “renewable energies” a wave of projects is spreading here and there and the model is repeated over and over again: the privatization of nature, the industrialization of mountain and rural areas, the consequent reduction of the possibilities of food production and the loss of biodiversity, the anti-democratic nature of the projects, which are set against the will of society.
These are turbulent times in which the people, the people, have to decide in which direction to go. Basque society must tackle radical issues from the bottom up, because the question of energy is the question of life. If we do not reflect on this, the formulas of capitalism will be imposed on us again and again.
It is striking that in Madrid we have a higher level of awareness of the protection of our mountains and fauna than in Álava itself.
Returning to the ministerial resolution, it makes clear the contradictory and worrying attitude shown by the Environmental Departments of the Provincial Councils of Álava and Bizkaia in the management of an area such as the Urkiola Natural Park. While Bizkaia has released two negative reports, Arabakoa is ready to give the green light to the project. We therefore call on the Department of the Environment of the Provincial Council of Álava to act more rigorously on the macro-projects that it will have to evaluate from now on and assume responsibility for the preservation of the territory of Álava. It is striking that in Madrid we have a higher level of awareness of the protection of our mountains and fauna than in Álava itself.
It is regrettable that the Krean co-operative, contrary to the people’s word and even before obtaining an environmental permit, has advanced the procedure of signing rental agreements with landowners and has begun to put pressure on them
We also call on individuals, companies and parties who have accused us of nimby (“not in my garden”) behavior and tried to impose the project to give us a deep reflection. It is unacceptable and salutable, for example, that the Krean cooperative of the Mondragon Group, contrary to the word of the people and even before obtaining an environmental permit, has advanced the procedure of signing rental agreements with landowners and has begun to put pressure on them. This type of behavior has shown us that the new model of social inclusion proposed by macroprojects is a farce and completely calls into question the democratic participation that has been so highly praised in this particular case. The behaviour of the Norwegian company Statkraft has, after all, been the same as that of any other multinational company.
The challenges of the future
In several areas considered eligible for wind energy exploitation in the context of the PTS, the Ministry’s resolution makes it clear that no wind power plants should be built
The Renewable Energy PTS (Sectoral Territorial Plan) is about to be adopted in Parliament, but its obvious shortcomings and contradictions have again been revealed by this resolution. For example, in a number of areas considered eligible for wind energy exploitation in the context of PTS, the Ministry’s resolution has made it clear that wind power plants should not be built. One of these areas is Mount Jarindo, which is located in our own village. For this reason, we demand that the approval of the PTS be suspended and we invite all political parties to begin a thorough elaboration once and for all.
Aramaixo Day of Life and call for demonstrations
We will continue to fight for the defense of our country and the mountains, for a dignified
life in the countryside and for a stimulating Aramaio.
You are all invited to attend the Aramaixo Day of Life, which will be celebrated on February 15. We have prepared a full day program, created in collaboration with agents from all over the country, which in addition to being a day of proclamation, has now become a day of celebration.
On the other hand, we call to join the demonstrations that will be organized on February 1 in Pamplona and March 22 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, to denounce the criminalization of popular movements and to proclaim loudly that the Basque Country is not for sale.
Long live in Aramaixo! Long live the village!
Bidali zure iritzi artikuluak iritzia@argia.eus helbide elektronikora
ARGIAk ez du zertan bat etorri artikuluen edukiarekin. Idatzien gehienezko luzera 4.500 karakterekoa da (espazioak barne). Idazkera aldetik gutxieneko zuzentasun bat beharrezkoa da: batetik, ARGIAk ezin du hartu zuzenketa sakona egiteko lanik; bestetik, egitekotan edukia nahi gabe aldatzeko arriskua dago. ARGIAk azaleko zuzenketak edo moldaketak egingo dizkie artikuluei, behar izanez gero.
I don't want my daughter to dress up as a Gypsy in the caldereros. I don’t want Gypsy children at my daughter’s school to dress up as Gypsies in caldereros. Because being a gypsy is not a disguise. Because being a gypsy is not a party that takes place once a year, with exotic... [+]
The year 2025 will lead to a general policy of establishing shorter working weeks, bringing low costs for new hires for companies and an effective direction of change in labour relations.
With the aim of complying with the Spanish government agreement, the reform to shorten the... [+]
To be honest, I don't know why I'm writing this. In today’s hostile environment, opinions of this kind are not well received. Perhaps LUZ will not publish this because it does not correspond to the opinions they have published so far (but if they have finally decided to publish... [+]
On January 15, the techno-business lobby called Cedarios presented its 6th report, Euskadi and the European Union, the shared destiny of prosperity and competitiveness. This neoliberal Think Tank, made up of eminent experts drawn from the world of finance, presented a magical... [+]
We Basques move our feet behind the witness of Korrika to proclaim that we want to survive as a Basque people in favor of our language, with the aim of the Basque Country we desire.
The tipi-tapa is the first step taken by a migrant person who leaves his homeland in Africa,... [+]
And for another year, the unions have organized prefabricated strikes for us. And we, individually, will decide whether or not to join the strike, without the need for any assembly at the school.
The strike model that I was taught is no longer in vogue, it seems. In my... [+]
Today, January 21, is a day to remember and reflect on an interesting ephemeris of our recent history. It is 50 years since the lockdown of 47 workers from Potase in Navarre. This lockdown, which lasted fifteen days, caused a general strike in Navarre, the Department of the... [+]
A couple of weeks ago, a number of data from Norway was published. In this country of Northern Europe electric cars have predominated, being the Tesla brand the most sold, with 90% of recyclable energy consumed there. On the contrary, Norwegian public enterprises have no problem... [+]
.jpg)
These were my last words when we left, held hand in your deep breathing sleep. Your heart stayed forever without a special, simple, dignified pain. As you want and demand. How we want and respect.
Already a month before the arrival of winter, the last days of the longest night,... [+]
Today, the voices of women and children remain within a culture that delegitimizes their voices, silencing their experiences, within a system aimed at minimizing or ignoring their basic rights and needs. A media example of this problem is the case of Juana Rivas, but her story... [+]
On Tuesday, the sentence was released against five young people from Lapurdi, convicted of belonging to Segi. Fifteen months in prison for reversal to two young people, with a fine of EUR 500 each; 140 hours of forced labour and EUR 500 fine to two other young people; and,... [+]
The other day, as I was walking through the famous television series The Wire, there came a scene that reminded me of despair. There, the management of the newspaper The Baltimore Sun brought together the workers and alerted them to the changes that are coming, i.e. redundancies... [+]
The consumerist culture we live in sends every user to an unreasonable enjoyment. As Slavoj Zize says, Enjoy your fetish, it has become the rude mandate of hypermodernity. Current enjoyment is carried out through existing technological devices to occupy the place of fetish. But... [+]
A ghost crosses the kitchens: The ghosts of Carlos.
Karlos has not been presented to the Master Chef Celebrity. After analyzing its culinary heritage, it is very clear that it will not overcome the selection of its opponents. In fact, the Academy of Gastronomy and the media... [+]
The achievement of the Euskadi Selection has undoubtedly been a historic achievement. But if you stick to that, for many Basques – I too, because I am Navarro – it will be the darkest and saddest day. After enjoying the joy and warmth of the first few days, let's go back to... [+]