Opposition to controversial power lines growing

20100808-1034 — Photo : Simon Koopmann | Power lines will be planted through the scenic land of the fjord and majority of people think it will distort the beautiful image of the land.

More than half of the Norwegian public is opposed to the building of a land line in the region,

According to a poll made for the newspaper VG, 55.7 per cent of those asked say they are opposed to the huge power masts. Only 18.3 per cent support the plans.

The plans have also affected the support for Prime Minister Jens Stoltenbergs Lablour Party (AP). The support for AP in Western Norway has dropped from 26.8 per cent to 16.2 per cent in two months.

The Liberal Left Party has announced that it will propose a change in the Energy Act, to ensure more use of subsea cable instead of land line in vulnerable and scenic areas like Hardanger.

Former AP environmental minister Thorbjørn Berntsen says to the newspaper VG that it will be a political strain on the Labour Party if the landline is built.

Hovever, the Government says the approval of the land line is final, and cannot be appealed.