Agenda Profile: Mart Helme
Draft law amending the Environmental Levies Act (615 SE) – First Reading
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The politician strongly opposes the current direction of wind energy, stressing that wind farms are neither cheap nor environmentally safe. This stance is value-based, focusing on protecting people and nature (including animals) and demanding that parks only be built in isolated locations where they genuinely make sense. The draft legislation is viewed as a step toward making the construction of wind farms impractical due to the associated costs and liabilities, thereby "bringing common sense back."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding the economic viability of wind farms (costs, compensation fees) and their environmental impact, highlighting both wildlife (frogs, eagles) and microplastic pollution. The claims are supported by references to recent studies that link microplastics to serious health risks and carcinogens.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style of discourse is critical and at times emotional, employing sharp ideological accusations, such as "blatant liberal hypocrisy." The argumentation relies on both economic logic (rising costs) and health risks (microplastic pollution, carcinogens). Rhetorical questions are utilized to highlight the contradictions in the state's actions and its disregard for local concerns.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
There is too little data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is ideologically branded as "liberals," who are accused of blatant hypocrisy regarding environmental policy. Criticism is also aimed at the state's procedural actions, which disregard the involvement of local governments (e.g., Vinni municipality) and detailed zoning plans. The opposition is intense and accusatory, focusing on political hypocrisy and the creation of health risks.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is too little data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
Although the focus remains on national energy policy, specific regional examples are brought forward, such as the disregard for Vinni municipality’s involvement. As a solution, the construction of wind farms on isolated islands is proposed to prevent encroachment on residents' homes and protect the local environment.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The politician considers wind energy economically inefficient, arguing that expanding the scope of compensation payments (or proximity fees) results in considerable costs and liability, thereby rendering the projects unviable. The emphasis is placed on fiscal prudence and rigorous cost-benefit analysis, which calls into question the overall profitability of renewable energy initiatives.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is public health, as wind turbines are associated with microplastic pollution, which is considered a serious future health risk and a carcinogen. The need to protect people living in their homes from the negative effects of wind farms is also emphasized, along with protecting the natural environment (frogs, eagles, hares).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on the draft Act amending the Environmental Charges Act (Bill 615 SE), which is currently undergoing its first reading. The speaker is a strong opponent of the current direction of the bill, seeking to restrict the construction of wind farms by increasing the costs and liabilities imposed on them through servitude fees.
2 Speeches Analyzed