Environmental committee dismisses complaint from Skeiða- and Gnúpverjahreppur authorities regarding wind farm at Búrfell

The Environmental and Natural Resources Complaints Committee has dismissed a complaint from Skeiða- and Gnúpverjahreppur municipal authorities regarding a wind farm project at Búrfell. The committee ruled that the municipality lacked the jurisdiction to contest decisions made by other authorities.

Haraldur Þór Jónsson, the mayor of Skeiða- and Gnúpverjahreppur, expressed disappointment with the ruling, stating that it is strange for the committee to determine that the municipality has no administrative role in the matter, thus not addressing the substance of their complaint.

The complaint was filed against a permit granted to Landsvirkjun by the National Energy Authority (Orkustofnun) in August for the wind facility at Búrfellslund, specifically located in Rangárþing ytra. Landsvirkjun plans to erect up to thirty wind turbines over a 17 square kilometer area south of Sultartangastíflu.

The municipality argued that the energy project discussed in the third phase of the national framework plan fell within the jurisdiction of both municipalities involved, pointing out that planning laws entitle adjacent municipalities to participate in the review process regarding land use. They contend that the proceedings by the Parliament, the Planning Agency, and the National Energy Authority do not comply with legal requirements.

Haraldur expressed hopes that the committee would engage with these key issues rather than dismissing the case outright, suggesting that court action may be pursued as the next step. The municipal council plans to discuss the committee’s dismissal and possible judicial options next week.