Agenda Profile: Andres Metsoja
Draft law amending the Industrial Emissions Act (628 SE) - first reading
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political stance centers on ensuring systemic justice and public trust during the development of renewable energy. The speaker strongly supports extending the requirement for an integrated permit to large wind and solar farms, considering the current situation unequal and unjustified. This position is policy- and value-driven, emphasizing the state’s role in protecting residents from large-scale industry. The goal is to improve a system that currently focuses solely on accelerating planning processes, neglecting both follow-up monitoring and public assurance.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates thorough knowledge of environmental law and the Industrial Emissions Act, detailing the content and procedure for the integrated environmental permit. Technical terms are utilized, such as Best Available Techniques (BAT), shadow flicker, infrasound, and various types of impact assessments. The expertise is strong in the areas of regulatory processes, minimization of environmental impacts, and waste management.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal, detailed, and persuasive, relying on logical comparisons (e.g., a cowshed versus a wind farm) and clarification of the legal framework. The tone is critical and concerned about systemic flaws, utilizing rhetorical questions to highlight unequal treatment. Although the focus remains on logic and procedures, emotional appeals are also employed, describing the residents' feeling of being abandoned and left alone against a major developer.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively involved in legislative work and mentions recent events, including a visit to the Sopi-Tootsi wind farm site yesterday. Reference was made to the work being done in the Environment Committee and the updating of issues highlighted by the Chancellor of Justice. This demonstrates a willingness to combine lawmaking with practical on-site research and meetings.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the Environment Committee, which deemed the draft bill unreasonable and likely to increase bureaucracy, and developers, who view the integrated permit as an additional burden. The speaker sharply criticizes the state and the government for distancing themselves from their role as partners to local residents, thereby creating an unequal situation. Criticism is also aimed at the activities of Enefit Green/Enefit and the government’s illogical development decisions.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Not enough data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
A strong regional focus is placed on Estonia's rural areas, which are affected by large industrial zones, specifically highlighting the concerns of Pärnumaa (Sopi-Tootsi, Tõstamaa) and local communities. It is emphasized that the state must not distance itself from the issues faced by local municipalities and residents during the processing of spatial plans. A personal example involving a country home near a wind farm is utilized.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives emphasize that while bureaucracy reduces productivity, systemic regulation (an integrated permit) is necessary to ensure transparency and the protection of residents. Uneconomical development decisions are criticized (e.g., the choice of location for the defense industry park instead of Tootsi-Sopi), with emphasis placed on using renewable energy as an economic input to create more affordable energy and jobs.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is the sense of security and protection for local residents against the impacts of large industrial projects, including the issue of industrial noise, infrasound, and visual flicker. The crucial role of public engagement in the permitting process is emphasized, as is the need to ensure the living environment is protected, in order to prevent a situation where industry "kills people, drives people crazy, and drives birds and animals crazy too."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on the draft amendment to the Industrial Emissions Act (628 SE), which aims to extend the requirement for an integrated environmental permit to large renewable energy parks. The speaker is a strong supporter of this initiative, emphasizing the need for systematic supervision and reporting after the completion of construction.
2 Speeches Analyzed