"A very serious act." This is how the regional councilor for Local Authorities, Francesco Spanedda, judged the decree from the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security authorizing a photovoltaic plant "originally covering approximately 70 hectares, then halved during the environmental impact assessment, near properties recently recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site" in Putifigari.
Once again, according to Council member Todde, "the government fails to recognize not only the history, identity, and autonomy of Sardinia, but also the achievements achieved through years of scientific studies and cultural diplomacy."
The area in question is within the protection zone around domus de janas and prehistoric sites of inestimable importance.
"Sardinia," Spanedda continues, "is not a land of energy conquest. We are for a just energy transition, we reiterate, with full respect for the landscape and the territory. This is already regulated, moreover, by a regional law that is currently in effect." Administrative judges and ministerial offices, who regularly ignore laws regarding suitable areas, do not see this as such.
"The national government imposes decisions from above, disregarding our expertise, the opinions of the Ministry of Culture, and the common sense of those who defend the landscape and the memory of a thousand-year-old people," Spanedda continues.
Energy transition plants "must be sustainable. The transition cannot become a pretext for land consumption, erasing our history, and compromising the future of local communities."
The councilor emphasizes the need to respect the Region's decision-making autonomy, which has the right—and duty —to decide where and how to build energy plants. "The Region," the councilor maintains, "has already identified the suitable areas and those requiring protection. Overriding our prerogatives and imposing projects that go against the will of the Sardinians is not a viable solution, nor does it safeguard the integrity of the necessary institutional relationships, which should be preserved.
We will defend the cultural, environmental and identity values of our territory at every level."
Enrico Fresu