Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Thuringia Authorizes Forestry Agency to Build Wind and Solar for Revenue

Local councils must approve sites through land-use plans, leaving concrete projects to municipal decisions.

Overview

  • The Landtag passed the amendment on Thursday with votes from the CDU, BSW and SPD, while The Left abstained and the AfD opposed.
  • New income is intended for reforestation, forest maintenance and climate measures as timber revenues drop after drought and bark beetle damage.
  • Any wind projects on state forest land will require municipal Bauleitplanung with majority approval in local councils.
  • The CDU’s support marks a policy reversal that Mario Voigt tied to a court decision striking down a forest wind ban and to federal targets to designate about 2.2% of land for wind power.
  • Protesters gathered outside the Landtag, and the AfD warned of forest damage as its motions to block the plan were rejected.