Draft law amending the Environmental Levies Act (615 SE) – First Reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-06-04 18:39
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 87
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 48m
AI Summaries: 87/87 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
During the first reading, the draft amendment to the Environmental Fees Act, initiated by the EKRE faction under agenda item Five [5], was discussed. The draft was submitted by Member of the Riigikogu Evelin Poolamets, with the hope of changing the current definition of impact zone for wind energy projects. In the current system, the impact zone of an onshore wind farm is defined as two to three kilometers, and for taller turbines, it depends on various restrictions. The draft's objective was to define the impact radius of wind turbines with a height of 250 meters or more as 20 kilometers throughout Estonia, taking into equal consideration both offshore and onshore turbines, similarly to the limits for offshore wind farms. This scheme took into account the rights of residents to their living environment, property values, and participation in planning, and highlighted the need to bring legal norms into line with reality, including the adequacy of health studies and noise impact studies. In the second presentation state, the visual impact, shadowing, and noise levels were highlighted, as well as public involvement and the distribution of income intended for local residents, and the question of potential compensation payments. Ultimately, it was emphasized that equal conditions are essential, and the fact that the state must begin implementing the green transition in cooperation with people, not at their expense.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 615 has concluded its first reading and will be returned. The bill's procedure is dropped. Voting results: 45 in favor, 18 opposed, no abstentions.
Most Active Speaker
Speaker: Evelin Poolamets (a1RqRq2rgr4) EKRE faction representative; right-wing.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The first reading of Draft Bill 615, initiated by the EKRE faction, concerning amendments to the Environmental Charges Act, took place in the Riigikogu. Evelin Poolamets was invited to serve as the rapporteur.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The report emphasizes that the impact of 250–300 meter high wind turbines extends significantly further than the current 2–3 kilometers, encompassing noise, infrasound, shadow flicker, visual impact, and a drop in property values. It also presents a draft bill according to which the zone of influence for such wind generators would be 20 kilometers, thereby placing the assessment of onshore and offshore wind farms on the same footing and ensuring public involvement and constitutional rights during the implementation of the green transition.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the audience and opened the floor for questions, while simultaneously inviting Jüri Jaanson to come up and answer them.
Jüri Jaanson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Jüri Jaanson said that the Riigikogu Environment Committee visited the Sopi-Tootsi wind farm yesterday, where Health Board studies (including an infrared study) have been conducted and there have been no complaints. He added that cooperation with the community is good, and the mayor confirmed this good cooperation. He then asked whether the presenter had visited the site and what the feedback had been.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Poolamets highlighted, using the Saarde wind farm as an example, that local residents are experiencing health problems due to the long-term effects of living near the park. He added that while modern wind turbines can reach heights of up to 300 meters and capacities of 8 MW, the current studies and environmental impact assessment guidelines are outdated and fail to reflect this new technology.
Mait Klaassen
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The entire commission visited the Sopi-Tootsi wind farm. There, we couldn't see the turbines even from three kilometers away, and all we could hear was the wind whistling in our ears. We then asked why the distance requirement is 20 kilometers for maritime areas—is that due to visibility or some other reason?
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Mait Klaassen to speak.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks.
Mait Klaassen
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speech asks why three kilometers is not satisfactory to you.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets explains that the 20-kilometer impact zone for offshore wind farms is based on law and research, and if the same capacity and height were installed on land, it would be logical for the impact zone to be the same.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal claims that the health risks posed by wind farms can be serious and are difficult to detect before the damage has actually occurred, citing the WHO 2018 guidelines. Furthermore, although there is no real understanding in Estonia regarding the causes of these risks, developers nonetheless insist that everything is fine.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Kalle Grünthal is invited to speak.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets criticizes the fact that people's health complaints are ignored and their underlying causes remain unclear, arguing that these issues are viewed through a lens of concealment and prejudice. She specifically points to a greenwashing project and raises doubts about the independence of environmental impact assessments and noise studies, suggesting they are influenced by vested interests. She stresses the necessity of transparency, legal certainty, and independent research, particularly given the large-scale wind farm projects planned in Estonia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Yoko Alender to the stage.
Yoko Alender
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Environmental Committee visited the Sopi-Tootsi wind farm yesterday, and in the evening, they also presented the recently completed noise study to the locals. The only time the noise limits were exceeded was during the daytime, when an elderly resident was listening to the television very loudly (perhaps a broadcast of the Riigikogu information session), and now they are discussing whether any action should be taken.
Evelin Poolamets
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Evelin Poolamets says that she had difficulty hearing what he said.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks that the microphone be returned to Yoko Alender.
Yoko Alender
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Yoko Alender highlighted that the only instance of the noise norm level being exceeded near the Sopi-Tootsi wind farm occurred when a resident was watching television during the day with the volume turned up very loud, and she asked the audience whether that should be banned or if something should be done about it.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets stresses that the disturbances caused by wind turbines must be taken seriously and their impact cannot be denied. The discussion also covers why turbines should be located close to consumption areas, and how modifying zoning plans could reduce the need for grid connections. Furthermore, the aim is to prevent noise-related issues arising in quiet rural areas, including interference with television reception.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Anti Poolamets to take the floor.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets calls for consulting local acousticians (e.g., Toomas Toimeta in the vicinity of the Sopi-Tootsi wind farm), critically reviewing the test results and the COVID-era rhetoric, and questions why Estonia fails to follow the British height and 3,000-meter distance requirements for turbines taller than 150 meters.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets asks whether the relevant requirements apply abroad.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets criticizes the placement of 300-meter wind turbines very close to residential areas in Estonia, as well as the plans for over 6000 MW of wind energy production. She states that this disrupts the peace of the population and labels it greenwashing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the speaker and asks Jüri Jaanson to pose his questions.
Jüri Jaanson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speech is a brief tribute to the presenter.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets welcomes listeners and invites them to join in.
Jüri Jaanson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Jüri Jaanson asked whether the Health Board's studies are reliable and which institution could conduct those studies in a way that would satisfy communities, businesses, and interest groups with the outcome.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets noted that few noise studies are carried out in Estonia, and while the draft legislation aims to make the standards clear and consistent, the main points of discussion are the impact zones of large, 250-plus-meter-high wind turbines and the criteria for calculating compensation, which should be based on the interests of the residents, not arbitrary boundaries.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Kalle Grünthal to the stage.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal stressed that state supervision must be based on the Metrology Act, ensuring calibrated equipment and trained personnel. However, the methodology derived from Ministry Regulation No. 70 is flawed, and without clear guidelines concerning location, weather conditions, and timing, it is impossible to conduct proper supervision.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets noted that the Health Board has so far only measured audible noise, and the equipment for measuring infrasound has been malfunctioning. Up-to-date guidelines and standards are lacking, and technology is advancing faster than regulations, which is why clear safety limits and rules ensuring health protection are necessary.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar calls upon Peeter Ernits to speak.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits emphasized that the local benefit instrument, which would be implemented within a 20-kilometer radius, might burden the state and local governments, and he asked the bill's presenter whether financial compensation should also be provided to the people living in that area.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets emphasizes that the revenue collected through environmental fees is distributed too thinly (less than 1% of electricity sales revenue within a 20-kilometer radius) and fails to motivate local governments. Therefore, the compensation payment must be fair and sufficiently incentivizing. Otherwise, municipalities risk losing taxpayers, and the revenue generated by wind energy will remain very small.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar specified that the current sitting was the first reading and that Yoko Alender could not ask a third question, since only two questions in total may be put to each rapporteur.
Jüri Jaanson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Jüri Jaanson lodged a minor protest with the session chair regarding a system error, explaining that Yoko Alender’s question had gone unheard. A request was made for the question to be repeated, following which the microphone was switched on and the question was asked again.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman explains that if the situation is such, the third question will be counted as the second, and Yoko Alender is now able to ask the second question, since she did not witness the specific situation at that moment.
Yoko Alender
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The rapporteur, Yoko Alender, notes that the local benefit is not sufficient, currently amounting to about 3,000–6,000 euros per year per household. She then asks how much this sum would decrease if the Riigikogu supported the draft act, and how small it would be in the case of existing wind farms.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets stresses that the tolerance payment is compensation rather than profit, and its amount should depend on the extent of the impact zone (up to about 20 kilometers) so that families living further away can also receive fair compensation, and the payments are adjusted according to the actual impact.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman calls upon Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme commends the draft bill for heading in the right direction, but raises an ethical question concerning compensation fees (or 'tolerance payments'), recalling historical instances of corruption/sell-outs, and stressing that while these fees are paid at the local level, the entire Estonian populace ultimately bears the cost through high network tariffs and electricity prices.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He stresses that wind energy funding is drawn from the taxpayer—the consumer—via network tariffs and easement fees. If these costs are excessive, the developer must reconsider the project, as the current model is neither economically nor environmentally sustainable and could potentially bankrupt the state or its citizens. Therefore, we hope that these developments are finalized before the first shovel hits the ground.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invited Mart Helme to speak.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claims that the wider the area expands where residents surrounding a wind farm are required to pay the compensation fee, the more pointless the construction of the wind farm becomes. This is because it involves a large number of people, leading to significant costs and liabilities. Furthermore, since wind energy is neither cheap nor harmless, wind farms should only be established where they serve a genuine purpose—for example, on some isolated island—thereby ensuring that people's homes remain unaffected.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets emphasizes that the height of 13–15 wind turbines, comparable to the height of the Tallinn TV Tower, and the impact of which reaches at least 20 kilometers, causes significant damage to nature, green spaces, and the Natura network. Furthermore, she states that this type of green energy is not sustainable and does not comply with EU directives, which prohibit the construction of wind turbines in green areas and recommend their erection on industrial or other suitable sites.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invited Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Speaking about the draft law, Helle-Moonika Helme emphasizes that compensation fees do not solve the real problem. Instead, the clearing of forests, the facilities built in their place, and the damage caused by microplastic pollution threaten nature, animals, birds, and human health.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets stresses that wind energy planning must take into account people's mental health and the natural environment, while also ensuring cross-border engagement and considering the impact of ecological networks. Failure to do so will result in higher costs and litigation for residents, municipalities, and the state.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls upon Mart Helme.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme criticized the hypocrisy of liberals, arguing that while plastic caps are mandated on bottles to prevent pollution, wind turbines generate microplastic contamination, which recent studies link to serious health risks and cancer. He specifically pointed to the example of the Vinni municipality, where turbines are being erected without local consultation or official confirmation, questioning what this situation reveals about the state of our nation.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets confirms that we no longer have a proper rule of law: the community finds no protection in the courts or from local governments, and public opinion overrides local desires. The state's energy policy dictates decisions, while simultaneously, the bisphenol A added to wind turbine blades is harmful to the environment, releasing approximately 60 kg per year per turbine, the long-term consequences of which may only become apparent over centuries.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls upon Anti Poolamets.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets emphasizes that studies exist, but people do not want to hear about them; he cites one of the world's largest studies from China as an example, where the biomass yield drops in the vicinity of a wind farm, and criticizes the simplification of planning as a takeover of local governments and the acceleration of wind turbine construction in remote residential areas.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets emphasizes that the rushed planning of wind turbines endangers the environment and the local community, highlights differences in climate conditions, and impacts the movement of clouds and wind. Productivity, according to the latest data, is only about 20%. The system requires controllable energy and an additional grid, and the entire process is extremely devastating and resource-intensive, which is why not as many wind turbines would be needed as current plans anticipate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the rapporteur, announced that the questions had concluded, and invited Yoko Alender, the Chair of the Environment Committee, to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Yoko Alender
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Riigikogu Environment Committee discussed a draft bill on May 13th aimed at extending the impact zone of onshore wind turbines to 20 kilometers to increase local benefits. However, the committee was left with the impression that the impact of offshore wind turbines only extends a few kilometers, and there is insufficient evidence to support the 20 km limit. Additionally, this proposal would create a significant administrative burden for local municipalities, and there is a lack of unified standards and measurement methods, not to mention the differences in power capacities and visual impact.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the presenter, notes that there are questions, and invites Rain Epler to pose his questions.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asks why, in Estonia, restrictions on nature conservation and community rights prevent landowners from utilizing their property and enjoying nature, while large industrial projects are simultaneously being permitted, and why this contradiction fails to lead to any compromises.
Yoko Alender
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Yoko Alender thanks Raini and says that the Environmental Committee did not delve into the philosophy, and promises to share her opinion later outside the chamber in order to follow the rules of procedure and good practice.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Evelin Poolamets to the stage.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
In the Environmental Committee, it was discussed that offshore wind farms are 15 MW in size. It was mentioned that the existing parks are 8–10 MW, and a question was raised as to where this 15-MW offshore wind farm has been built.
Yoko Alender
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Yoko Alender said that the discussion was about the capacity of the turbines in offshore wind farms, not the size of the wind farm itself, and currently, no offshore wind farms have been built in Estonia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Rain Epler to the stage.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler emphasizes that he would like to hear the thoughts of the female members of the Center Party directly from Yoko, rather than having them mediated through her. At the same time, he asks whether the environmental committee has discussed the fact that a wind farm is a large industrial facility that is useless or even harmful in terms of energy production, and why such facilities are permitted or promoted so carelessly.
Yoko Alender
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Yoko Alender stated that renewable energy—solar and wind—is the cheapest method of power generation, is fuel-free and decentralized, and its environmental impact is minimal.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called upon Evelin Poolamets to speak.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets asked where in the world offshore wind turbines currently have a capacity of 15 megawatts, compared to the significantly smaller capacity of onshore wind turbines.
Yoko Alender
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The commission did not discuss the specific region where these wind turbines are located, but there is a plan to install various capacity turbines, which are standard both onshore and offshore globally.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar clarified the nature of the third question, thanked [them] for the honesty, and stated that the third question would not be taken up. Following this, he opened the debate and invited Andres Metsoja to speak on behalf of the Isamaa faction, granting him three minutes of additional time.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The report confirms that the 100% renewable energy plan is flawed. Planning must be balanced, the living environment and impact zone of local residents must be considered, and solutions for regional direct energy contracts and affordable grid fees must be created so that renewable energy can find its appropriate place.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Colleague Peeter Ernits is invited to the Riigikogu rostrum under the mandate of the Centre Party faction.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits points out that the construction of massive wind turbines affects the environment and wildlife, causing concern among both residents and businesses, especially since projects often fail to reach completion due to a lack of funding. Furthermore, although the coalition promises 100% renewable energy, he believes this goal is utopian.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that he would briefly pause and skip a small procedural step, granting three minutes of extra time, after which everything would be ready in eight minutes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded his speech with words of thanks.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits emphasizes that although there are eight different bills, an impact analysis is missing, and the state's mechanisms unfortunately often fail to address people's real concerns, and this problem persists regardless of who is currently in power.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker invited fellow member Rain Epler to the Riigikogu podium to speak on behalf of the EKRE parliamentary group.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He thanks the manager and agrees to take the extra time allotted, but intends not to use it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman requests three more minutes.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticizes the Reform Party's energy policy: although the draft bill is simple and understandable, the actual costs associated with integrating wind and solar energy—ranging from gas power plants and battery storage to necessary grid developments—are significantly higher, and the expanded area of impact is not always sensible; compliance with laws is uncertain, and questions of conflicts of interest and transparency also arise.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar asks that the floor of the Riigikogu be given to Yoko Alender to deliver a speech on behalf of the Reform Party faction.
Yoko Alender
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presentation emphasized that Estonia is currently disconnecting from the Russian and Belarusian electricity system. It focused on the operation of frequency markets, the development of the local benefit instrument and direct contract options, mentioning the digitalization of Enefit Green's Sopi-Tootsi wind farm and the registration of Latvian participants in the frequency reserves market—though their actual participation requires clarification. The presentation also raised the need to clarify nuances concerning the environmental charges law and the height of the wind turbine impact zone, comparisons with other countries, and stressed that Estonia must maintain a diverse energy portfolio, including controllable capacities and storage. Furthermore, the goal is not 100% renewable energy, but rather renewable energy volume matching consumption, which necessitates the continued addition of approximately 250 wind turbines to meet these objectives.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The main point of the speech is to request three additional minutes of time.
Yoko Alender
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Yoko Alender emphasizes that renewable energy is cheap and crucial for energy security, and it is distributed across Estonia. However, in her assessment, the draft bill is insincere, and the Reform Party’s opposition will not lead to better prices, greater security, or improved environmental protection. Furthermore, local governments have a significant role in planning.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded the discussions and announced that the leading committee's proposal for Bill 615 would be rejected during the first reading, and he requested that a position be taken and a vote held.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu voted 45 in favor, 18 against, and there were no abstentions; the proposal found support, and Bill 615 has been rejected and is removed from the proceedings.