Allister lends support to campaign
Thursday, 7 May 2009
SEAT representatives Isobel Todd and Julianne Denvir with MEP Jim Allister. sc1948
SEAT (Safe Electricity Armagh and Tyrone) representatives, Isobel Todd and Julianne Denvir met with MEP Jim Allister recently to update him on campaign progress so far.
Mr Allister has been involved in discussions with SEAT for some time and has been supportive of affected residents along the proposed line of the North South Interconnector from the early days of their campaign in 2007. This is the third meeting that SEAT representatives have held with MEPs in the last few weeks. They met with Jim Nicholson on 15th April and Bairbre De Brun on the 21st. All three MEPs have expressed their support of undergrounding this 400KV line.
SEAT emphasised to the MEP that they are fully supportive of the need to improve the North - South electricity supply. However it is their belief that the project should be undergrounded. SEAT and their southern counterpart NEPP believe that if the interconnector is placed on overhead cables it will be disastrous for the communities of Tyrone, Armagh, Monaghan, Cavan and Meath.
SEAT representatives informed the MEP that this 400 KV powerline will be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland - the next strongest powerline in existence is 275KV. SEAT say they represent the thousands of anxious residents living near this proposed line who are extremely concerned about the well documented health and environmental effects of such a high voltage cable.
SEAT believes that undergrounding this line will be cheaper in the long run, more reliable and significantly safer. In addition all the associated environmental risks will be minimised.
Mr Allister was informed that it is estimateds that over the lifespan (approximately 40 years) of the powerline the electricity that is "lost" on the overhead line will cost 875 million Euro as opposed to 336 million Euro if the line is placed underground. (Askon Report October 2009 www.pylonpressure.ie)
Mr Allister was very encouraged on hearing SEAT campaign progress so far and assured the group that he would be asking the Regulator to comment on the Askon Report himself.
SEAT are hosting an information evening on the 14th May 2009 at 8pm in the Armagh City Hotel. All are welcome to attend. Contact the SEAT helpline for more information 07549171023.
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