regasification terminal, foolish project A madness that threatens to undermine the economic potential of this area
Alessio Lattuca
A lthough for the city of Agrigento and Porto Empedocles and probably throughout the metropolitan area could be tremendous opportunities with sensitive measures in the free trade of the Mediterranean. Multiply, in fact, experts announce an acceleration of the boom of the Mare Nostrum, is for freight traffic, both for the huge flow of tourists which will benefit those who obviously, for the game of destiny, there will geographically located.
Just as you need to report these exceptional occasions, however, emphasize that there are at least two dangers: the decisions and senseless inertia. In the vein of foolish choices fits the plans to build a regasification terminal in Porto Empedocles, a stone's throw from the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. A madness that threatens to undermine the economic potential for all of these areas. The 'market', now more than ever - in the presence of global and hypercompetitive - requires professionalism and organization of the offer. To compete you need to create a virtuous circle for which are indispensable on the one hand the physical infrastructure and, second, social infrastructure, such as human capital is the value added to compete. Therefore, given the commitment to provide such important goals - the representatives of the ruling classes agrigentine can not simply be spectators, or worse, decisions to brand themselves 'in contrast', beginning with the foolish project of the regasification terminal.
There is, Moreover, the obligation to remember those who have political responsibility that the area you are playing a unique opportunity to give a shove to the state of inertia and a boost to growth. In this regard, at the conference hall of the House, at the initiative of the directors of the town of Agrigento, led by the mayor, a conference was organized to inform the community about the reasons necessitating the use of the regional administrative court (TAR) Sicily against the hasty granting of permits by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Culture, the realization of the aforementioned regasification terminal in Porto Empedocle. The meeting attended by business associations in the area (starting with the tour operators), representatives of cultural associations, environmentalists, consumer groups and politicians and many citizens. From all these people came a "no" loud and clear to the regasification terminal.
The plant is known, is a weblog project Enel, which, needless to say, promises new jobs (in all seventy jobs in whose name we give our shores these gentlemen ), saving the jobs of the near Enel, which converted to gas, so they say, become productive. Then the establishment of industries related to the cold chain. So other investments for the dredging of the harbor, to build the new east pier for the accommodation of the other piers, facilitating the desired development of tourism, with the assumption - everything to prove - that the presence of the LNG terminal will be compatible with the same tourist activities, perhaps through investments and royalties paid.
we must acknowledge that Enel is aware of the negative effects that the plant will cause and try to make good the damage by the so-called compensation and the promise of new employment. It will, eventually, as already mentioned, a few laughable work units, compared with an investment of over € 500 million of public money and, above all, against the granting to a large industrial society (by forcing the spirit of the Law on areas of industrial development that provides for the granting of land to small and medium enterprises) to a huge area for the price of just € 5 per square meter. In short, if there is a way to sell off our land to those who promise to take, to pollute and not to take anything, well, this was found in the LNG terminal project. Remain to heed the protests of those who are convinced that the area where it should be realized this dangerous plant there would be room for other productive activities certainly capable of producing more jobs, with a minor bump environment.
For the realization of the LNG terminal are expected, optimistically, as stated by the top Enel, at least 5 years. But it is likely that it will take at least 12, as has already happened with other experiences. Within the limits of the foreseeable future is possible, through good practice, implementing any investment program. About misunderstandings is worth noting that, despite the Enel on its portal emphasizes the social responsibility of business, as exciting moment of sustainability and ability to maintain balance in its three variables: economic responsibility, environmental responsibility and social responsibility, considering the contributions and vital relationships with stake holders, the declaration of intent does not match the reserved approach to the community in the idea of \u200b\u200bconstruction of the LNG in the area adjacent to the Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park, behind the hills that are home to Kaos is the birthplace of Pirandello. The energy giant trying in fact to impose a project that the territory should passively, perhaps in exchange for a mess of pottage and improbable promises amounted to a handful of micragnose royalty.
addition, the threat of divestment of the existing Enel for the production of energy is a very bad example of social communication. Especially because the Enel should, for a long time, respect the environment and the strict rules that regulate it. The plant in question was restored from ancient time, or discharged, or sold guaranteeing employment. Now, if the Enel said that with the gas, the plant can be maintained, providing employment, it means that the plant's energy production is needed. So the question arises: If need be, because the Enel did not make the transformation of the gas, that is, because it does not immediately connecting to the Snam gas pipeline that passes just 5 km from Porto Empedocles, in the interests of the population and in compliance with the regulations? Enel promises the restoration of the port with major investments: the east pier and the constant annual dredging of the outer part of the port for the access of LNG carriers. He does, of course, in its sole business interest and certainly not in favor of the local population which, indeed, would be affected by the daily presence of ships carrying dangerous gas. In this regard it should be noted that the arm will be just east interesting for the development of the cruise, which will mainly be seen banned because conditioned the plant regasification its intended use, the maritime station is funded with a million euro, and the dredging of the port, overcome the impasse in which it is located, receives a report of a variant of a million euro, the pier 'Crispi' got a budget of one million euro and a half, the old wharf in the port has received a funding of one million six hundred thousand €; the protruding of old pier will have a loan of one million six hundred thousand euro, for the projection of the west dock will be available for funding of four million four hundred thousand euro. All funds immediately yards, drains on resources allocated to the ministry 2007 - 2008 and 2009 (Ministerial Decree of 08/02/2007 Prot 1756).
The renovated harbor the same time - if administrators deal with it - be able to accommodate investments consistent with a model of sustainable development and without the devastating effects that the LNG terminal, if it were developed, it will produce, including the depletion of the natural landscape and scenic beauty of the combination of human-coast, and the limitation number of possible arrival of cruise ships, it is evident that the tourist on a cruise certainly do not want to cross the gas tankers, see a chimney on the sea, moor near an industrial area dangerous. And the same goes for recreational tourism, absolutely incompatible with the presence of an LNG terminal and LNG carriers. E ', however, largely likely to be possible to find investors ready to build, own funds, a marina and off the port.
will, however, unlikely that the same investors decide to engage in the presence of an invasive plant which has a regasification terminal! It 'a blatant lie, artfully spread, according to which there is no alternative to regional development in addition to the LNG terminal. Fact:
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the conversion of the Enel - in total private cost - does not produce loss of jobs;
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the dredging of the port is already funded;
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the Maritime Station being designed, can be found in entrusting the management of private funds;
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the docking of cruise ships is the result of diplomatic activities and trade agreements and trade union (in this case by creating other jobs);
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the dock trip includes private investment (with the creation of additional jobs);
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a second marina outside port requires the use of private funds (even other jobs);
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the revitalization of commercial fishing activities in the field can be made with a development plan for the marine empedoclina; project that would lead to stop the exodus of the workforce in this sector and the increase in activity fishing and fish processing, perhaps in cooperation with the countries bordering the Mediterranean;
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intended for the redevelopment of disused services or to sustainable business activities (light shipbuilding, handicrafts , fish processing, etc.). and for activities tourist, or even for college and research, however, intended to produce new jobs.
After careful analysis and full-bodied debate, which has seen significant and passionate speeches, expressed the unanimous request of a Memorandum of Understanding, which aims to stimulate discussion with representatives institutions, the political class, the world of associations and, possibly, to create a working around issues related to development programs. The purpose of the document, agreed by representatives of companies and so-called stakeholders, is to participate actively in planning and decisions that the leadership should work with the imminent adoption of the EU calls for proposals and projects to be implemented with funds for underdeveloped areas (Fas), which, by all accounts, they will not take due account of infrastructure issues related to land use and exploitation of natural vocations of our area, from high-quality agriculture, tourism and, of course, the formidable environmental and archaeological heritage.
On the other hand, the tables of consultation required by the rules negotiated Finance (Contracts Program, Pit, Pir and, finally, Plans Strategic) have identified as driving the aforementioned areas, focusing resources around these measures and the POR Sicilia. Strategic plans, as instruments of participatory democracy (through which the city of Agrigento, Porto Empedocles , Favara, Aragona, Raffadali Siculiana and are called to build its future, defining the political design of the development in the medium and long term) are intended to identify the mission of the territory and, possibly, to make it attractive for investors.
Furthermore, it is widely accepted that all parties in the area - the bearers of special interests - have the task of helping to develop the broad economic planning and regional planning of integrated character. In the sense of focus to highlight the effects arising from the networking of different policies: namely, quality of life, education, tourism, cultural and environmental heritage, food quality, to define a model of shared development.
summary: Kaos in the area, two hundred meters from the Park of Pirandello, and facing the hills that embrace the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, would put an LNG terminal that many authoritative studies considered "at risk of system crash relevant "in the worst case incident, in fact, a cloud of gas arsonist would be going into an area of \u200b\u200b55 km, destroying everything along its unfolding, resulting in a very considerable number of deaths and the total destruction of the landscape. It 's so that it aims to protect the Valley of the Temples Agrigento? And 'this world to enhance the beaches of San Leone, Empedole Porto, up to the scale of the Turks?
who filed this absurd and dangerous project has waded right from illustration to the local population to possible dangers related to the presence of the LNG terminal and, above all, ships carrying the gas. Yet according to the Pentagon, the energy contained in a medium-sized tanker is equivalent to several atomic bombs, although no radiation. It 'amazing how this story of the regasification terminal in none of the protagonists of this devastating project has felt the need to inform the public.
plants also are dangerous because they would be among the targets more attractive to terrorists (see website Department of the Interior and the declaration of the chairman of Lloyd's of London on unavailability, recently expressed to ensure the gas tankers, no a military escort.) And, again, re-gasification plants produce pollution because it spills into the sea and strong emissions of greenhouse gases with high methane (23 times more than CO2), the seawater used in the cycle of LNG will be cooled to a temperature of 9 ° under to grip and chlorine from the plant with an entry into the marine environment from 20 to 33 tons of chlorine (bleach, for instance) a year which will cause serious damage to fisheries and tourism.
addition, the weaknesses of projects and studies submitted by the New Energy and Enel companies offer no hint to the works on the ground and induce to reflect and offer deep concerns about the overall reliability of the forces.
to be considered, then the impact on confidence and moral damage that the presence of the LNG terminal will cause people to Agrigento and Porto Empedocles and businesses, particularly about the devaluation of the real estate units in the vast area concerned and, in particular those for tourism, as well as those adjacent to installations which are only a few hundred meters as the crow flies from gas carriers.
Many, in fact, the key questions unanswered. Correspond to the truth - to quote an example - The items that relate to ventilation project approval by the regional bodies in charge? And if that answer to the truth, as impossible as a settlement is justified in light of the much-trumpeted "vocations"?
offices of the Sicilian Region were asked, in particular, how is it possible to respond to the formal notice sent to the President of Sicily Region by the head of UNESCO, Gianni Puglisi (later reformulated), complaints that come by authoritative organizations like the Make (also subsequently amended) and the appeal signed by a large number of intellectuals international reputation against this project?
All characters and leaders of well known institutions that probably have more to heart the fate of mystical places like the Valley of the Temples, Kaos and the Park than the Pirandello Agrigento have certain so-called 'distinguished', to say that words and good intentions, in fact, act in the opposite direction.
For the gentlemen who would like to turn the coast of Agrigento in a regasification terminal with appurtenances should be noted that:
- first: the Valley of the Temples - view shared at all levels and included as a main idea in Por Sicily - is the main core for the future economic development of our area;
- second: the Archaeological Park is the most significant socio-economic development and employment;
- third: Kaos district, the birthplace of Luigi Pirandello, is a place to preserve and enhance and not destroy realizing a few hundred meters of a regasification plant;
- fourth: the port of Porto Empedocle has all the numbers to become the most visited tourist and cruise ports of Mediterranean.
Among other things, it must be said that throughout the area affected by this stupid project there is a considerable amount of accommodation that, in the presence of the LNG terminal would become 'at risk': we speak Hotel Dioscuri Bay Palace Hotel of Bishops, the Baglio della Luna hotel and Kaos recently acquired, with an investment of several million euro, an international company that planned to use their money in a normal place and reliable. Not to mention the bathing facilities and activities related to fishing.
On balance, there the urgent need to reconsider the choices made so far by the companies concerned (see plan of environmental impact) and establish a program in line with the idea of \u200b\u200bdevelopment already identified and, of course, better suited to the real needs of our territory. To be able to grasp, especially, the opportunities offered by regional legislation, national and community and, finally, the "regional aid map that identifies the best policies for disadvantaged areas aimed at favorable conditions for attracting investment.
In our province, our country will not serve the LNG terminal. It serves, rather, a broad debate to identify asset on which to bet, starting with the infrastructure in the broadest sense of the term (ports, airports, railways, highways, schools, universities), and is, above all, a project to enhance the incomparable wealth of cultural and environmental heritage in the our territory. The need to focus on infrastructure assets is derived from the assumption that it is possible to envisage development in the absence of human capital. It is, after all, easy to define an equation: higher levels of education and greater competence are necessary conditions to sustain levels of growth and development tailored to the needs of our time.
The University of Agrigento, though born a short time, but developed gradually, will have the mammoth task of supporting this project and to have a significant role, namely to become a place of education in the humanities and the technical knowledge and laboratory technology . Deferrable opportunity to develop that now more than ever, the province of Agrigento can not take in view, however, that EU aid to so-called 'Objective 1 regions' (and Sicily is among them) will cease in 2013. Targeted and appropriate choices could help create the conditions for this geographical location and its environmental qualities, with its location, with its history and its cultural and archaeological stratification, with the presence of the university, with the presence of ports, can take role - historically and geographically its responsibility - strategic hinge between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
We must work to ensure that our territory, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, will compete for the coveted certification "carbon free" and to promote action for a declaration that the area of \u200b\u200bthe Mediterranean sea area particularly sensitive (Particulary Sensitive Sea Area - PSSA), especially with regard to the coast of Agrigento. The above opportunities will be (as elsewhere) very useful tools to seduce and welcome the many modern travelers who go in search of the rare and highly sought after places unique and, of course, is not polluted. Therefore be extremely essential consult citizens through a modern and effective instrument of participatory democracy which is the referendum, according to the rules laid down by the Seveso 2 and 3, implemented by Decree. No No 334/99 and 238/05 and in accordance with regional law 9 of 1986 and the Statute of the Province.
