"Energy Demand and Supply Standards Must Be Set Within the National Balanced Development Plan"
The Chungnam Environmental Movement Federation held a press conference at the provincial government press center on the 24th, urging the withdrawal of the Honam to Seoul metropolitan area power transmission line route passing through Chungnam. Photo by Pyo Yoonji
On the 24th, the Chungnam Environmental Movement Federation urged the immediate withdrawal of the plan to construct a power transmission line passing through Chungnam in order to send electricity produced in Honam to the Seoul metropolitan area.
At a press conference held at the Chungnam Provincial Government press center on the same day, the Environmental Movement Federation stated, "Chungnam has been put in a situation where it suffers unfair damage as a transit region for the Honam-Seoul metropolitan area power transmission line."
They claimed that the government's 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand includes plans to build 345kV transmission lines such as Saemangeum-Shinseosan, Shinseosan-Cheongyang, and Cheongyang-Godeok. They also asserted that the plan includes 500kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission lines, such as Saemangeum-Seohwaseong, Shinhaenam-Dangjin Power Plant, and Shinhaenam-Seoincheon Combined, using submarine cables.
Hwang Seongryeol, executive representative of the Chungnam Environmental Movement Federation, said, "The policy of taking energy from the region to the metropolitan area has never been changed," adding, "Chungnam Province is also not responding to this issue."
He further argued, "Each region should have its own plan for energy acceptance and supply, and transmission line plans should be established through consultation with local residents."
Hwang emphasized, "If the most fundamental energy policy is not changed, it is the same as giving up balanced regional development," and insisted, "A national balanced development plan should be established first, followed by the transmission line plan."
He continued, "Chungnam Province also has a significant role. The province is worried about regional extinction and is pouring in budget, yet it is not responding to transmission lines that accelerate regional extinction and take away our future."
Hwang also urged, "It is not about forming a site selection committee as requested by KEPCO, but about establishing a proper plan and making a confident demand to the state," and added, "The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, KEPCO, and Chungnam Province must set energy demand and supply standards precisely within the framework of the national balanced development plan."
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