Wind farms blight local communities, says minister
Speaking at the Conservative Party conference, the new Environment Secretary argued that green subsidies for wind farms must be scrapped because turbines are blighting local communities.
Owen Paterson said wind developers should 'stand on their own two feet' instead of asking for money from the state. Green technologies such as wind farms might actually have a worse impact than climate change, he claimed: 'there are significant impacts on the rural economy and the rural environment, all of which probably weren't intended when these things were thought up.'
The Government is facing mounting criticism for sending out mixed messages on energy policy and climate change. Some companies are concerned after David Cameron appointed two ministers who are critical of wind farms, cut subsidies for renewable energy and unveiled a tax break for the gas industry.
Seven power firms have recently threatened to leave Britain over fears they will not get enough government support to invest in low-carbon technologies like nuclear and wind farms.
