The positive part of the latest news regarding the Linslerfeld nature destruction project is that the state government wants to support the municipality of Überherrn in improving the infrastructure – even if Svolt does not come.
At the same time, the minister makes it clear that he obviously has no plan for what exactly is supposed to happen, as he does not want to provide concrete details about the funding program. Due to the lack of a binding number of jobs to be created, there is no reliable basis for the need for additional housing. In particular, the question arises whether the future workers actually want to live within sight of the factory. Regarding the statements on transport infrastructure, the Minister of Economics confirms the impression left by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Mobility at a DGB event: Social Democrats only support public local transport in Sunday speeches. The expansion of the cycling network is nice, but is likely only to serve as a placebo.
The continued efforts of the SPD state government to ignore all arguments against the Linslerfeld location clearly demonstrate that social democratic economic policy is characterized by causing maximum environmental damage.
In times of climate change with increasing drought years and ever-rising temperatures, it is not surprising that groundwater recharge has decreased by around 44% over this period. The systematic neglect of data collection on this matter suggests intent. Svolt has built factories in other locations with a smaller land footprint, so there are alternatives to the water protection area.
An obvious critical point is the water consumption for the production of electrolytes and cooling. It is not apparent that there have been discussions with the company about alternatives to the use of fresh water, such as recycled water in closed cooling circuits or in process applications.
Bunt.saar regards this as a failure of the responsible authorities, whose understanding seems to be to unconditionally follow corporate demands.
After the Boch family has already made their deal with the state, the only question remaining is why the state government ignores all legitimate arguments against this location. The still secret contract arrangements with subsidies amounting to many millions and the undefined conditions for Svolt in case of abandoning the site raise further concerns about unprofessional conduct.
In this situation, the only remaining option is to go to court to prevent this environmental crime. Bunt.Saar calls on conservation organizations and all interested individuals to support a fundraising campaign to be able to carry the proceedings through all instances.
