JMT Petition to the Scottish Government

The John Muir Trust is calling for a new national environmental designation for wild land and has submitted a 3,500 signature petition to the Scottish government amid fears that some of the best landscapes in Scotland are at risk.

The JMT is particularly concerned about the impact of "badly sited, industrial scale wind farm development proposals"

Scottish National Heritage does not apparently advocate a specific wild land designation and is preparing a new assessment of wildness across Scotland.

The Scottish government said a review of the situation was underway and all organisations with an interest in conservation would be consulted.

Source: BBC Scotland News

Efficiency of wind turbines - The John Muir Trust

The JMT has spent the last 13 months monitoring 47 wind power stations and claim that they ran at 22 per cent efficiency - somewhat short of the 30 per cent figure claimed at every public enquiry into proposed stations. The JMT's figures were taken from data from the National Grid and they have called for an urgent review of the Scottish Government's renewable energy policy. Many councillors across the country apparently support the JMT's findings.

The Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables said that the results were not surprising given the study period was one of the calmest winters on record.

A decision on the Standingfauld proposal, which would see turbines just a few kilometres from Braco, Muthill and Auchterarder, has been delayed until February so in theory this information is timely.

However, since the Scottish Government want 50 per cent Scotland's energy to come from renewable sources by 2020 and have invested £800m in various schemes, Jim Mather's reponse to the findings is predictable: there will be no change to the government's policy.

Source: Strathallan News