Agenda Profile: Evelin Poolamets
Draft law amending the Environmental Levies Act (615 SE) – First Reading
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political stance strongly opposes the current wind energy development policy, criticizing it as unfair and dismissive of local communities. The primary objective is to amend the law, extending the buffer zone for onshore wind turbines (250 m+) to 20 kilometers, in order to protect residents' constitutional rights and their living environment. The speaker stresses that the green transition must be achieved in collaboration with people, not at their expense, and labels the current situation a "greenwashing project" and the "Wild West."
19 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates thorough knowledge of the technical parameters of wind turbines (heights up to 300 m, infrasound, Bisphenol A) and their multi-faceted impact. The expertise is based on international studies and comparisons (rules in Germany, Finland, and Latvia), while simultaneously criticizing the outdated data found in the guidelines of the Estonian Health Board and EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment). Special emphasis is placed on the need to study the effect of low-frequency noise and infrasound on the nervous system.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical, concerned, and protective of communities, utilizing strong emotional appeals (sleep disorders, the sense of home being replaced by an industrial landscape). Sharp expressions are used ("greenwashing project," "plundering"), and the legal asymmetry and illogic in the treatment of offshore versus onshore wind turbines are emphasized. The speaker presents their views formally, relying on both personal experiences and international examples.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker has actively participated in the discussions of the Environmental Commission and references the resulting debates within the Commission in their presentation. Furthermore, they have visited the Saarde wind farm and possess personal experience litigating against developers in the Tartu Administrative Court concerning the Vinni municipality's detailed zoning plan.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Strong criticism is leveled at the developers (who fund the EIA studies), the government (for ignoring complaints and the lack of legal clarity), and the Health Board (for using outdated data and concealing research findings). Opponents are accused of greenwashing and overriding the wishes and will of the local community. The judicial system is criticized particularly sharply, as it appears to prioritize the rights of developers over those of local municipalities.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is focusing on cooperation with local governments and communities, citing examples from Vinni municipality and the mayor of Saarde. The objective is to protect rural residents and ensure their inclusion in the planning process. There is no available information regarding cross-party cooperation or collaboration aimed at reaching a compromise with the government.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is strongly directed towards protecting rural and sparsely populated areas, emphasizing that wind turbines are unfairly placed in peripheral regions (Vinni, Valgamaa). The speaker highlights the financial burden placed on Vinni municipality due to litigation and asks why the turbines are not situated closer to consumption areas (Tallinn, Viimsi, Kakumäe).
19 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives are critical of the current model of wind energy production, deeming it inefficient (20% productivity) and potentially bankrupting the state or its citizens. They demand a fair servitude fee that would be motivating and cover the decrease in property value and the costs incurred by local governments. It is emphasized that the costs (including grid fees and servitude fees) ultimately fall on the consumer/taxpayer.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social focus is the protection of residents' health and quality of life, highlighting the negative impact of infrasound, low-frequency noise, and flickering shadows. There is a demand for independent health impact studies, and criticism is leveled at the attitude of officials who dismiss these health issues as "fabricated" or merely a mental health problem. Bisphenol A is also mentioned as a substance harmful to the environment.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on supporting the draft Act amending the Environmental Charges Act (615 SE), which seeks to define the impact zone for onshore wind turbines (exceeding 250 meters) as 20 kilometers. The objective is to establish legal clarity and uniformity, and to ensure the inclusion of affected persons in planning procedures and among the recipients of compensation for nuisance/easement fees.
19 Speeches Analyzed