Mayors up in arms over the Ministry's decision to reject the request to call a public inquiry into the Mistral offshore wind project. "We are very disappointed. It is an incomprehensible choice that once again overrides the protection and interests of the territories and the specific competences of Local Authorities in terms of urban planning. A true act of censorship against the community that asked to be involved, a blow to the self-determination of the territories, which demand the right to participate in decision-making processes and make their voices heard", write in a note the mayors of the municipalities of Alghero, Bosa, Ittiri, Magomadas, Putifigari and Tresnuraghes.

According to the ministerial interpretation: «The provision regarding public inquiry contained in the environmental code has an alternative nature to the procedure of publication and written submission of observations». Furthermore: «The simplification measures aimed at the energy transition have provided for the extreme reduction of the procedural terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment… the bodies involved in the implementation of the project had been previously informed of the project proposal thanks to the procedure for defining the contents of the environmental impact study (scoping) … and within the scope of the EIA procedure». In short, while acknowledging that «the conditions for requesting the activation of the Public Inquiry exist», the Ministry «deems it appropriate not to accept the request» because it is necessary to hurry and because the bodies involved and citizens have already been involved in the observations process.

"The reasons given certify the mortification of the concept of participation, reduced to the mere exercise of presenting observations to projects already defined: this is ridiculous and offensive", continue the mayors, who will now evaluate how to continue the fight to defend their communities. "The Government ignores the will of the territory to discuss such a delicate issue that concerns the future of all. A request wanted by the citizens of the Municipalities involved who, through the unanimous decisions of their respective City Councils, have loudly asked to be heard, demanding the right to participate".

The act signed yesterday by the general management of MASE will certainly not leave indifferent the territories that, as already highlighted on several occasions, do not intend to passively accept decisions imposed from above and will now follow all possible paths to claim their rights.


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