[AMNA]
The special spatial planning for Renewable Energy Sources will be posted for public consultation by May 15, according to Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, speaking to a parliamentary committee this week.
The minister noted that it is a difficult project because it has to take place under terms of transparency and protection of the environment. He denied that the bill will declassify Natura-designated areas and said that 28% of Greece’s land territory is part of the Natura protected area.
“We are talking about 425,000 permanent residents. We heard the mayors themselves. We heard the same people say that ‘what we have now is no rules. What we have now harms the environment,’” Papastavrou said.