Cross-party MPs back moving Hamarsvirkjun into energy-use category

A parliamentary resolution proposal will be submitted during the current legislative session to move Hamarsvirkjun in eastern Iceland from the waiting category to the energy-use category, mbl.is reports. Fourteen MPs support the proposal, including 13 opposition MPs and one member of the governing majority.

The sponsors are Jens Garðar Helgason, Njáll Trausti Friðbertsson, Ólafur Adolfsson, Ingveldur Anna Sigurðardóttir, Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, Diljá Mist Einarsdóttir, Jón Pétur Zimsen, Árni Helgason, Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, Þorgrímur Sigmundsson, Þórarinn Ingi Pétursson, Ingibjörg Isaksen and Ingvar Þóroddsson.

Ingvar, an MP for Viðreisn, is the only governing-party MP supporting the proposal.

Jens Garðar, the proposal’s lead sponsor, told mbl.is that Hamarsvirkjun is one of the largest power-generation options currently under consideration in eastern Iceland. He said municipalities and residents in the region broadly supported developing the project.

He said parliamentary discussions this winter had also indicated that several government supporters, including Ingvar Þóroddsson, Logi Einarsson and Energy Minister Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, were positive towards moving Hamarsvirkjun into the energy-use category.

“However, representatives of Samfylkingin on the committee did not share that view, even though we in the minority submitted a proposal for it to be placed in the utilisation category. So it was put in the waiting category,” Jens said.

He said he was now submitting the proposal in an effort to bring the issue back for discussion in parliament.

“It is very pleasing to see that MPs from the governing parties are, in effect, following up on their words in the chamber — or at least one of them, Ingvar Þóroddsson — and supporting this good initiative, which is very important for us in eastern Iceland,” Jens said.

He hoped the resolution proposal would lead the majority to reconsider its position.

“I hope this parliamentary resolution proposal will lead to more discussion of the issue in parliament and that the majority may reconsider its position. This is an extremely important matter for people in eastern Iceland — to get this power project included,” Jens said.