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MSP calls for ‘serious questions’ on school wind turbines spending
Credit: Anger over cash spent on turbines at schools | The Courier | 12 July 2013 | www.thecourier.co.uk ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
Schools in Fife and the Forth Valley have spent more than £200,000 of taxpayers’ money on wind turbines.
Fife Council spent £108,000 on seven turbines, Stirling Council erected two turbines at a cost of £40,000, Falkirk Council shelled out £40,000 on one turbine and a single turbine cost Clackmannanshire Council £20,000.
The Scottish Conservatives’ education spokeswoman, Liz Smith, who uncovered the figures using freedom of information legislation, criticised the Scottish Government over the spending.
“Everyone knows that the SNP’s relentless drive for wind turbines has gone too far and now we learn that even schools aren’t spared from this obsession,” she said.
“Worse still, it turns out that one fifth of the turbines which have been erected on school premises in recent years have already been decommissioned, placing an additional burden upon the taxpayer as well as upon hard-pressed councils.”
Four of Fife’s seven turbines have been decommissioned, one of which was taken down at a cost of £500. All turbines erected at Forth Valley schools remain in place.
Liz Smith, who is an MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife region, added: “As the debate rages about the efficiency of wind energy, there are serious questions to be asked about large sums of public money being spent on turbines which, only a few years later, are decommissioned.
“When this happens in schools, parents and teachers have a right to be angry, as there is very clearly a case for the money to be better spent elsewhere.”
A Scottish Government spokesman underlined their support for onshore wind energy “in appropriate locations”.
He added: “While financial return is available to local authorities wishing to install turbines within the school estate, councils and schools must make decisions on whether to install based on consultation with parents, pupils, staff and communities.”
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