Agenda Profile: Evelin Poolamets
Inquiry Regarding Plans for the Construction of a Wind Farm on Saaremaa (No. 680)
2025-02-17
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to the government's green energy development policy, especially regarding the rights and financial obligations of municipalities. The main focus is on the lack of regulations concerning the decommissioning of wind farms and the aggressive damage claims by foreign companies against local governments. The stance is value-based, emphasizing the protection of the local community from external pressure.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates detailed knowledge of the technical and financial aspects of wind energy projects, specifically highlighting the lifespan of the turbines (20–30 years), their height (300 meters), and the dismantling costs (one million euros per turbine). Furthermore, the speaker is knowledgeable about the legal structures used by the developers (shelf companies), the specific claim amount (€274,783.22), and the naming of the law firm (Walless).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, emotional, and accusatory, employing strong and charged phrases such as "extortion and mafia" and "an insane situation." The appeals are aimed primarily at emotions, contrasting the vital services of the local community (school buildings, extracurricular education) against the profit expectations of foreign companies.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The course of action involves active participation in inquiries and responding to specific local events, such as receiving a letter from a law firm in one's capacity as a member of the Vinni Rural Municipality Council. This indicates continuous engagement with local political and legal developments.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the minister and the government, who are accused of creating regulatory chaos, as well as international wind energy developers and their lawyers, who are being labeled "extortionists." The criticism is intense and addresses both political inaction and the developers' unethical and aggressive behavior toward local municipalities.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Insufficient Data
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strongly regional and local, emphasizing the problems and financial burden on Vinni municipality stemming from the refusal to initiate detailed plans and subsequent damage claims. Also mentioned are the intentions to establish the Saaremaa wind industry park, which form the basis of the query.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives stress the need to protect the financial stability of local governments and are critical of foreign developers who operate as shelf companies, paying no taxes while simultaneously demanding massive compensation claims. Local interests and fiscal responsibility are prioritized over the development of unregulated green energy.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Social issues are tied to protecting the local budget, emphasizing the danger that the local government might have to sell schools and nursing homes to cover foreign obligations or divert funds from children's extracurricular activities, which jeopardizes the community's well-being.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is aimed at closing regulatory loopholes, particularly concerning financial guarantees for the decommissioning of wind turbines in the event of bankruptcy. Furthermore, solutions are being demanded that would shield local municipalities from developers' claims for damages during the process of deciding on detailed spatial plans, thereby acting as a powerful catalyst for regulatory change.
2 Speeches Analyzed