This article is from page 23 of the 2012-02-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 23 JPG
THE people of Clare have been asked to give their opinion on the future direction that Clare County Council should take when planning for alternative energy projects.
Just weeks after the local authority placed a ban on fracking in Clare and with a number of high-profile wind energy projects still awaiting planning permission or connection to the national grid, the local authority has opened the floor to the people to point the way forward.
Clare County Council must com- plete a long-term renewable energy strategy in the next 12 months and this strategy will set out the council’s approach to dealing with offshore wind, wave, hydro and biomass energy sources in the years ahead.
Once completed, Clare County Council will become the first local authority in the country with a full Renewable Energy Strategy built into its county development plan.
“We have an opportunity to exploit these resources and in doing so create clean energy and attract inward investment to the county and the country.
“This comes at a time when the country is searching for solutions to many social and economic issues,” said the Mayor of Clare, Pat Hayes (FF).
“I am delighted that Clare County Council is taking a pro-active approach to facilitating renewable energy development in the County.
“The preparation of a Renewable Energy Strategy will help guide the location and development of renewable energy proposals and ancillary businesses while also establishing the views from members of the public and other stakeholders.
“I would encourage people to make their views known to the Planning Authority.”
The update version of the County Development Plan is set to be adopted by Clare County Council in December of 2012 or January of 2013.
“Clare is particularly fortunate to possess considerable wind, biomass, wave and tidal resources. It is imperative that we have a strategy in place to maximise the potential of these resources while minimising any environmental impacts, thus enabling the County to achieve a low-carbon economy,” said County Manager Tom Coughlan.
“The strategy will be prepared to reflect the changing economic environment and to provide a blueprint for increased economic activity and job creation through value added activities such as manufacturing and research and development.
“It also will facilitate development of renewable energy having regard to recent technological advances and will identify the imperative requirement for enhanced grid connectivity regulation.”
The closing date for submissions to Clare County Council is Friday, March 9.
For more information, visit www. clarecoco.ie.