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Region of Tuscany reconsidering approach to geothermal permitting

Region of Tuscany reconsidering approach to geothermal permitting Lardarello geothermal power plant by Enel, Tuscany/ Italy
Francisco Rojas 15 Jan 2015

A new bill is being considered aiming at delaying any new geothermal permits for 6 months in the Tuscany region.

A region in Tuscany has decided to reconsider if the geothermal expansion in the region is happening too fast, and considers implementing a halt to all new permits at least for the next 6 months should a new bill be approved.

According to local news, geothermal energy development has seen a massive increase in the last years in the region and accounts for nearly a third of all energy consumed in the area. This would seen like great news but the local population and the environmentalists seem to have concerns on the rapid expansion of this industry and the consequences it might have for the local economy.

Local news state that Enrico Rossi has presented a bill to the local environmental delegate with concerns that new permits should be issues with deeper investigations into the particular projects and more concern should be given on the impact that new projects might have.

Since the end of the monopoly of Enel to exploit this resource in the region, there has been a boom in geothermal exploration and exploitation and it is expected that if the bill goes through, a series of appeals to it will happen.

Source: Il Tirreno