Ripping out disused wind farms ‘will harm environment

Ripping out disused wind farms ‘will harm environment’ - Environment - Scotsman.com: 

DISMANTLING and removing onshore wind farm infrastructure at the end of its operational life could be more harmful to the environment than leaving it in place, according to a new report published today.
The study, commissioned by government agency Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), focuses on the benefits and drawbacks of restoring a site to its original state when a wind farm is decommissioned.
The report suggests that the removal of structures such as reinforced concrete turbine bases may have a more detrimental effect than leaving them in place.
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But campaigners from wind farm protest group Scotland Against Spin (SAS) said the study proves the Scottish Government knows its wind farm policy has been a “terrible mistake”.
SAS spokeswoman Linda Holt said: “The only way to ensure that there will be enough money in the kitty to pay for decommissioning and environmental restoration is for government to impose an immediate levy on all existing turbines.
“Developers of any new turbines should have to deposit cash for the full costs of decommissioning and restoration before a single sod is turned.”

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