Pylons - Ear to the Ground 21st Nov

Joe the Plumber · 21-11-2013 08:51PM #1

I'm luckey enough not be affected by the issue, but I really feel for those farmers interviewed tonight.

Is there any way that hey could be supported?

I wouldn't be depending on the IFA to be honest..... They probably get a commission on our ESB bills :-)

Like the factories, I never heard of a lobby group being paid by the people you are supposed to be lobbing against.

rancher · 21-11-2013 09:22PM

Joe the Plumber wrote: »

I'm luckey enough not be affected by the issue, but I really feel for those farmers interviewed tonight.

Is there any way that hey could be supported?

I wouldn't be depending on the IFA to be honest..... They probably get a commission on our ESB bills :-)

Like the factories, I never heard of a lobby group being paid by the people you are supposed to be lobbing against.

Are union fees not collected out of employees salaries by employers,

Conmaicne Mara · 21-11-2013 09:49PM

Thankfully my farm leads nowhere. Just after watching ETTG on RTE player, wouldn't want them pylons anywhere near me.

rancher · 21-11-2013 10:16PM

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

Thankfully my farm leads nowhere. Just after watching ETTG on RTE player, wouldn't want them pylons anywhere near me.[/QUOTE)

Have one here on the land since the 1960s, no real prob, don't think they're as high voltage but it sizzles nicely on a damp morning

Damo810 · 21-11-2013 10:20PM

Whats the main reason for opposition to them? One farmer seemed that it was because of the obstruction caused, other it seemed to be the health effects but neither side (electricity company or farmers) seemed to be able to show research into it.

td5man · 21-11-2013 10:31PM

Damo810 wrote: »

Whats the main reason for opposition to them? One farmer seemed that it was because of the obstruction caused, other it seemed to be the health effects but neither side (electricity company or farmers) seemed to be able to show research into it.

Health concerns mainly.
We're on two of the proposed routes for the north-south inter connecter :-(
Luckily they seem to be choosing a different route.

rancher · 21-11-2013 10:33PM

Damo810 wrote: »

Whats the main reason for opposition to them? One farmer seemed that it was because of the obstruction caused, other it seemed to be the health effects but neither side (electricity company or farmers) seemed to be able to show research into it.

They're no problem, haven't done any harm here, management or health wise......we don't even notice them.
Suppose people don't like the look of them, but they still like their electricity.

''It's in the national interest'' is what people used to jokingly say to me when the new M6 was destroying my farm...grrr

Conmaicne Mara · 21-11-2013 10:42PM

rancher wrote: »

They're no problem, haven't done any harm here, management or health wise......we don't even notice them.
Suppose people don't like the look of them, but they still like their electricity.

''It's in the national interest'' is what people used to jokingly say to me when the new M6 was destroying my farm...grrr

I'm one of them that wouldn't like the look of them. Would prefer them underground too, knew well money would be the issue, same reason different topic.

The national interest reminds me of the last election. There was a specific candidate running in this constituency with a tag line "For the common good". Good Jebus but I used to squeeze the steering wheel something awful passing them posters. Then there was a 5 day wait between that candidate and the one I voted for to get in :eek: It's just a huge bullseye target for someone who wants to stick their nose in someone elses business.

But it had a happy ending

Sam Kade · 21-11-2013 10:57PM

I wonder would the man representing the esb like to have one towering over his house

They can't bury them because of the distance yet they are putting a cable across the Irish Sea to export wind generated electricity to the UK.

Old diesel · 21-11-2013 11:51PM

Sam Kade wrote: »

I wonder would the man representing the esb like to have one towering over his house They can't bury them because of the distance yet they are putting a cable across the Irish Sea to export wind generated electricity to the UK.

Good point - I imagine the crafty hoors have made sure the project will avoid their part of the world :mad:.

My concern - is how we seem as a country to be simply rushing into this at a rate of knots without thinking it through properly.

would love to know how the likes of the Swedes and the Dutch deal with all this kind of thing - youd expect them to do things fairly right - Swedes especially.

Wouldn't trust our lot to tell me the right time :rolleyes:

lanber man · 21-11-2013 11:57PM

Sam Kade wrote: »

I wonder would the man representing the esb like to have one towering over his house They can't bury them because of the distance yet they are putting a cable across the Irish Sea to export wind generated electricity to the UK.

Valid point and id be in favour of underground cables but I think theres a difference between dropping a cable along the seabed and actually burying it. Although pylons are supposed to be ludicrously expensive

Good loser · 22-11-2013 12:00AM

Having studied a fair bit of science would say there's no (added) danger whatsoever in them. Nothing compared to tobacco anyway. Didn't see ETTG.

Birdnuts · 22-11-2013 12:13AM

The pylons are being put in for the benefit of wind energy companies. So my advice to people is that if there isn't pylons going through you land atm, their soon will be since the government is taking a 3 billion euro bet on wind energy on your behalf via everyones energy bills. The more I read up on other countries experience with this approach, the more I worry about the fact that the Irish government appears to be wilfully ignoring the growing evidence of the folly of this strategy on economic, environmental grounds etc.

Some interesting and relevant observations by Colm McCarthy in last weeks IFJ on the matter

http://www.farmersjournal.ie/site/farming.php?newsid=17812

epfff · 22-11-2013 07:31AM

Birdnuts wrote: »

The pylons are being put in for the benefit of wind energy companies]

I think them damm wind energy companies shot JFK as well
Rubish
its sher lack of knowledge and fear of unknown driving these people supported by some begrugers that are Just at war with the world

Marooned75 · 22-11-2013 08:05AM

Sure a well known farming organisation are for turbines and against pylons that tells its own story!!!

tabby aspreme · 22-11-2013 08:41AM

RTE Primetime had a pylon debate earlier on this week, I thought the audience would attack Eirgrid boss Fintan Slye, there is huge anger all over the country and its only getting going.

reilig · 22-11-2013 09:40AM

We have one on the land over 50 years. 30 years ago, they moved it about 50 meters - this left it within 20 meters of both my parents house and my grandparents house. They should never have been allowed to do this! I don't think there have been any adverse health affects but I'd never let them put another one on my land. Along with that, they are cheeky buggers - they came on to the land to replace poles without permission - they took out hedges for access, destroyed a laneway with diggers and teleporters and cracked concrete in a cattle yard as they went through it. We had a job to get them to do repairs.

epfff · 22-11-2013 09:51AM

reilig wrote: »

We have one on the land over 50 years. 30 years ago, they moved it about 50 meters - this left it within 20 meters of both my parents house and my grandparents house. They should never have been allowed to do this! I don't think there have been any adverse health affects but I'd never let them put another one on my land. Along with that, they are cheeky buggers - they came on to the land to replace poles without permission - they took out hedges for access, destroyed a laneway with diggers and teleporters and cracked concrete in a cattle yard as they went through it. We had a job to get them to do repairs.

Will agree with ya there
had bad experience here with a3 phase line
But at least you have reason and something concrete and realistic not just randomly vext at the whole thing

F.D · 22-11-2013 10:03AM

This whole wind energy and interconnector idea is pure madness, all we keep hearing is ireland needs to be self sufficient, we all agree with that,
then you hear we can be an exporter of power, why do we want this, to pay off the UK government for the handout we got when we went but a few years ago and because everyone is opposing wind energy over there

Over in the UK they gave a good refit tarrif, Farmers and even some householders put solar panels on there roofs and put in small scale wind turbines to provide power on a local level with no need for big interconnectors or big turbines
Probably the same applies in europe

Why can we not do this over here ??

epfff · 22-11-2013 12:10PM

F.D wrote: »

Why can we not do this over here ??

Because of sstupid planning laws
And begrudgingly neighbours that won't do it theselves but hate to see Others possibly suceeding

Old diesel · 22-11-2013 12:27PM

thing that's puzzling me - is that if all this is needed simply because of wind energy - rather then because of simple demand from consumers - would it be an idea to improve wind energy technology - so that when the system is reaching capacity - the wind energy can be turned off.

What I mean is that youd switch off the turbines remotely.

Actually - I think the way to address this - is possibly to accept that the current technology may not neccessarly be the best for the likes of rural areas - and thus work to improve the technology - and address issues that way.

Lots of talk about undergrounding - but if we need 400 KV power cables - can it really be done successfully.

What annoys me - is that rural Ireland could end up taking the hit - while Dublin takes more of the benefit.

We also need to get to the bottome of the impact on things like tourism - and one way or another - get the health concerns addressed once and for all.

Maybe the health concerns are unfounded - in that case just get to the bottom of it - and get the facts.

But if you bulldoze in - and have issues later on - it could be too late then to fix it.

Birdnuts · 22-11-2013 12:45PM

epfff wrote: »

I think them damm wind energy companies shot JFK as well
Rubish
its sher lack of knowledge and fear of unknown driving these people supported by some begrugers that are Just at war with the world

Well its rubbish thats taken directly from Eirgrids literature arriving at my address in North Mayo and their website concerning the Gridwest project.

nashmach · 22-11-2013 12:58PM

reilig wrote: »

We have one on the land over 50 years. 30 years ago, they moved it about 50 meters - this left it within 20 meters of both my parents house and my grandparents house. They should never have been allowed to do this! I don't think there have been any adverse health affects but I'd never let them put another one on my land. Along with that, they are cheeky buggers - they came on to the land to replace poles without permission - they took out hedges for access, destroyed a laneway with diggers and teleporters and cracked concrete in a cattle yard as they went through it. We had a job to get them to do repairs.

We have two and a half of the buggers here and we only have a small farm

- two different lines.

New route could clip one field judging by the map at this stage.

They did so much damage putting up those my Dad still remembers it.

Reilig, you need a lock on that gate, they did similar here but didn't make a mess but as they went in without permission, there was words said - they haven't done it since and we have explicitly told them no in the winter too.

Old diesel · 22-11-2013 01:05PM

nashmach wrote: »

We have two and a half of the buggers here and we only have a small farm - two different lines.

New route could clip one field judging by the map at this stage.

They did so much damage putting up those my Dad still remembers it.

Reilig, you need a lock on that gate, they did similar here but didn't make a mess but as they went in without permission, there was words said - they haven't done it since and we have explicitly told them no in the winter too.

This thing about them walking into a farmers land if the farmer doesn't want pylons - is very poor.

Its private property - and to my mind if a particular company isn't welcome on your land - and the staff are told they are not wanted - then if they remain or return to your land - they should be classed as trespassing

Afterall - im sure if I rocked up in Eirgrids HQ in a camper van - and parked up and wouldn't move - id be classed as trespassing. Pretty sure the Gardaí would come pretty quick to move me on - and arrest me if I wouldn't move

Why farms are different when its a state agency that's looking to come on your land is beyond fair.

Makes a mockery of the whole planning system too imo :rolleyes:

Anyhow - that's enough of a rant for the day

Capercaille · 22-11-2013 03:21PM

F.D wrote: »

This whole wind energy and interconnector idea is pure madness, all we keep hearing is ireland needs to be self sufficient, we all agree with that,
then you hear we can be an exporter of power, why do we want this, to pay off the UK government for the handout we got when we went but a few years ago and because everyone is opposing wind energy over there

Over in the UK they gave a good refit tarrif, Farmers and even some householders put solar panels on there roofs and put in small scale wind turbines to provide power on a local level with no need for big interconnectors or big turbines
Probably the same applies in europe

Why can we not do this over here ??

If excess electricity is being produced it can be exported, ie when the wind is strong. During periods of low wind, electricity can be transmitted from the UK.

Joe the Plumber · 22-11-2013 07:46PM

rancher wrote: »

Are union fees not collected out of employees salaries by employers,

With the employees consent !!!!

Farmer · 22-11-2013 07:52PM

Old diesel wrote: »

Maybe the health concerns are unfounded - in that case just get to the bottom of it - and get the facts..

Now that seems to be the tricky bit

rancher · 22-11-2013 09:07PM

Old diesel wrote: »

This thing about them walking into a farmers land if the farmer doesn't want pylons - is very poor.

Its private property - and to my mind if a particular company isn't welcome on your land - and the staff are told they are not wanted - then if they remain or return to your land - they should be classed as trespassing

Afterall - im sure if I rocked up in Eirgrids HQ in a camper van - and parked up and wouldn't move - id be classed as trespassing. Pretty sure the Gardaí would come pretty quick to move me on - and arrest me if I wouldn't move

Why farms are different when its a state agency that's looking to come on your land is beyond fair.

Makes a mockery of the whole planning system too imo :rolleyes:

Anyhow - that's enough of a rant for the day

You'd never get roads or electricity around the country if state agencies didn't have the powers they have...its the way it has to be

st1979 · 22-11-2013 10:13PM

Well I am totally against these. Under no circumstances can they be in my back yard. They can go somewhere else anywhere but here. I want no pylons. No wind turbines. No power station of any kind especially nuclear. No incinerator. Definitely no sewage treatment plant, they smell. I am also afraid of those mobile phone masts. Although I have poor reception so maybe they could put one up a safe distance from me. Maybe closer to you than me.

If I think of anymore I will let you know. Oh hang on. I am against new roadways and any developments that require planning permission. And quite a few planning exempt developments I am against too.

My reasons are simple my area is unbelievablely beautiful. Much nicer than where u live. And I can find research to prove all of the above is going to kill me.

Birdnuts · 22-11-2013 11:41PM

st1979 wrote: »

Well I am totally against these. Under no circumstances can they be in my back yard. They can go somewhere else anywhere but here. I want no pylons. No wind turbines. No power station of any kind especially nuclear. No incinerator. Definitely no sewage treatment plant, they smell. I am also afraid of those mobile phone masts. Although I have poor reception so maybe they could put one up a safe distance from me. Maybe closer to you than me.

If I think of anymore I will let you know. Oh hang on. I am against new roadways and any developments that require planning permission. And quite a few planning exempt developments I am against too.

My reasons are simple my area is unbelievablely beautiful. Much nicer than where u live. And I can find research to prove all of the above is going to kill me.

You appear to live in a very black and white world.Every infrastructure project has to be viewed on a Cost Benefit Analysis level. Some projects make the grade on that basis, but others don't. I support the former type but not the latter. Hence the link I posted earlier in this thread to that IFJ article by Colm McCarthy. A man who is a hard nosed economist and full on capitalist, not a crusty hippy who lives in a tree house.

bogman_bass · 23-11-2013 12:32AM

I think its disgraceful how the anti-pylon lobby have people terrified over them.

I have a physics degree and if you beleive that there is a health risk (I dont) then there is a greater one when they are burried since they are only 3 meters down as opposed to 20 meters up. The strength of electromagnetic radiation is directly prportional to the distance from the source

Pylons - Ear to the Ground 21st Nov

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