Hafnarfjörður Rejects Aluminium Giant 2. apríl 2007 14:44 The biggest news last weekend are undoubtedly the results of the residential elections in Hafnarfjörður on Saturday when the town’s residents rejected the plans to enlarge the Straumsvík aluminium smelter, owned by the industrial giant Alcan. Of 12.747 people, 50,06% voted no and 49,37 voted yes. The difference between the two groups was only 88 votes, resulting in the town being divided into two almost equal halves. Alcan is now reviewing those close results and assess the impact they may have on the smelter. This sure was a happy day for environmental enthusiasts who interpreted the results as a turning point in the heavy-industry dilemma. The environmental group Saving Iceland wrote that the outcome was “a great victory for lovers of Iceland´s nature and life!”, hoping that the current government, which has been supporting heavy-industry plans, will be thrown out of power in the general elections in May. But while the one half celebrates the other one is not only disappointed and frustrated but has already started accusing the opponents of an election scam. The organization Hagur Hafnarfjarðar is now arguing that approximately 700 people had moved their legal residence to Hafnarfjörður, only to get the right to vote against the expansion. The organization is considering an investigation. Jón Sigurðsson, Minister of Industry and Commerce, told RUV that the results doesn’t mean that plans for further projects around the country will be cancelled. Glitnir Bank explains which effects this might have on the economy and the market while adding that "the outcome increases the likelihood of a smelter in Helguvík in coming quarters". So although environmentalists are celebrating one victory at the moment, they will most likely have enough to protest in the future. News News in English Mest lesið Dvaldi lengi í Engey áður en hún synti til baka í flasið á hvalaskoðunarskipi Innlent Óvenjulegi tölvupósturinn birtur: Spurði dómarann hvaða starfsmann hann ætti að reka fyrir jólin Innlent Diljá Mist segir hræsni einkenna íslenska femínista Innlent Þrettán þúsund krónur fyrir nótt í tjaldi Innlent Íslensk kona og fjölskylda hennar á sjúkrahúsi eftir árás á Krít Innlent Dósent við HÍ „óskaði þess að árásarmaðurinn hefði hitt“ Innlent Stórhættulegur framúrakstur á Holtavörðuheiði Innlent „Væri ekki að fara ef ekki væri fyrir góðvild fólks“ Innlent Sautján milljóna króna greiðslan vekur hneykslan Innlent Munaði engu að ökumaður straujaði niður nítján hjólreiðamenn Innlent
The biggest news last weekend are undoubtedly the results of the residential elections in Hafnarfjörður on Saturday when the town’s residents rejected the plans to enlarge the Straumsvík aluminium smelter, owned by the industrial giant Alcan. Of 12.747 people, 50,06% voted no and 49,37 voted yes. The difference between the two groups was only 88 votes, resulting in the town being divided into two almost equal halves. Alcan is now reviewing those close results and assess the impact they may have on the smelter. This sure was a happy day for environmental enthusiasts who interpreted the results as a turning point in the heavy-industry dilemma. The environmental group Saving Iceland wrote that the outcome was “a great victory for lovers of Iceland´s nature and life!”, hoping that the current government, which has been supporting heavy-industry plans, will be thrown out of power in the general elections in May. But while the one half celebrates the other one is not only disappointed and frustrated but has already started accusing the opponents of an election scam. The organization Hagur Hafnarfjarðar is now arguing that approximately 700 people had moved their legal residence to Hafnarfjörður, only to get the right to vote against the expansion. The organization is considering an investigation. Jón Sigurðsson, Minister of Industry and Commerce, told RUV that the results doesn’t mean that plans for further projects around the country will be cancelled. Glitnir Bank explains which effects this might have on the economy and the market while adding that "the outcome increases the likelihood of a smelter in Helguvík in coming quarters". So although environmentalists are celebrating one victory at the moment, they will most likely have enough to protest in the future.
News News in English Mest lesið Dvaldi lengi í Engey áður en hún synti til baka í flasið á hvalaskoðunarskipi Innlent Óvenjulegi tölvupósturinn birtur: Spurði dómarann hvaða starfsmann hann ætti að reka fyrir jólin Innlent Diljá Mist segir hræsni einkenna íslenska femínista Innlent Þrettán þúsund krónur fyrir nótt í tjaldi Innlent Íslensk kona og fjölskylda hennar á sjúkrahúsi eftir árás á Krít Innlent Dósent við HÍ „óskaði þess að árásarmaðurinn hefði hitt“ Innlent Stórhættulegur framúrakstur á Holtavörðuheiði Innlent „Væri ekki að fara ef ekki væri fyrir góðvild fólks“ Innlent Sautján milljóna króna greiðslan vekur hneykslan Innlent Munaði engu að ökumaður straujaði niður nítján hjólreiðamenn Innlent
Óvenjulegi tölvupósturinn birtur: Spurði dómarann hvaða starfsmann hann ætti að reka fyrir jólin Innlent
Óvenjulegi tölvupósturinn birtur: Spurði dómarann hvaða starfsmann hann ætti að reka fyrir jólin Innlent