Letters / Will islanders get a say in this matter?
I would really encourage people to watch the webinar recording regarding the Orion proposals at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcq-CvbQ39k&feature=youtu.be
Even with an open mind, it must still be disturbing to hear the way Shetland is talked about, as a business opportunity and a resource to be exploited.
The SIC appears to be fully supporting the plans and are committing resources/money to do so, and although there has been some mention in the local press I doubt whether the average Shetlander has any real idea of the scale let alone what the impact on the islands might be.
There are many questions that need to be answered about what this ‘transformational’ programme would mean for Shetland, but at this point no-one knows enough to know what they don’t know in order to ask the right questions.
If the SIC is jumping in with both feet, the Shetland public needs to understand where this could go so that they can make up their own minds about whether it would be ‘transformational’ in a good or a bad way; not the glossy sales pitch, the reality – especially if it requires all the proposed wind farms (and more?) to go ahead.
Do the Shetland people get any say in the matter?
The words “if the Shetland public doesn’t want it…” come to mind, although that question was never formally asked regarding Viking Energy and look at how that’s turning out in terms of local opposition.
That mistake should not be repeated.
Linda Tait
Epsom
Surrey
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