Large crowds expected for anti-pylons photo shoot at Bective Abbey

THIS Sunday, 30th December, will see the North-East Pylon Pressure group organise an aerial photo-shoot in opposition to the EirGrid proposals to erect pylons and a power line across the county.

The event will take place at 12 noon at Bective Abbey and is expected to be attended by thousands of protestors.

Meath-based Ireland East MEP Mairead McGuinness said that power network companies, including EirGrid, do have technology choices when it comes to installing new power lines and that these companies are aware of this.

"The EU is part-funding the planning phase of the controversial power line extension currently in the consultation phase in County Meath," she said. "There is huge opposition to the proposal to route the 400kV power lines over-ground and I have made the Commission aware of this."

The Commissioner for Energy, Andris Piebalgs, said the European Commission has no competence over where the power lines are sited as this is decided exclusively by the member state authorities under the respective EU environmental law.

In addition, recommendations set out in July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields must be adhered to by the member state.

The Ireland East MEP is urging the EU Commission to take a more proactive approach in relation to the matter and to take account of the local opposition to the planned power lines.

"According to the Commission, overhead power lines are often the most cost-efficient solution for long-distance transmission of over 50km," Ms McGuinness says. The Woodland (Meath) to Kingscourt (Cavan) power lines is 58km.

"However, underground cables are also a proven technology, but until now used more for short to medium distances, according to the Commission. There have been suggestions of increased costs of up to 20 times more for underground cables; however, the EU Commission put the costs at around three to five times that of the over-ground option," she added.

"According to the Commission, this would result in increased costs to the consumer," the MEP added.

Underground cable technology has been used in the EU to a limited extent, including at Madrid Airport, but there are some cases where municipalities are now considering the use of these types of cables and these will be ground-breaking cases, according to the Commission.

"The Commission says that the choice between over-ground power lines and underground cables should be made according to the situation - both options impact on the environment," said the FG MEP.

"In my view, the choice between the two options must take account the wishes of those living in close proximity to the planned route for these power lines. It is these people who will be most affected by the plans, and therefore, their real fears and concerns about the power lines extension must be taken into account by EirGrid, the Government and the EU Commission," she added.