Errors and distortions from FD and Altaposten

Following the Storting’s treatment of the electrification of Melkøya has Altapost and Finnmark Dagblad Published claims that are incorrect. They claim that the Center Party, and especially Ola Borten Moe, was crucial for the electrification through.

This is not just misleading – it is a gross distortion of facts.

The reality is the following: All proposals for electrification alternatives were voted down by a broad majority in the Storting, regardless of how a single representative voted. Ap and Right are now so big that they only lack one mandate to get a majority alone. When they receive support from the Left and parts of Frp – as in this case – the battle is lost, no matter how the Center Party is correct.

The Center Party voted for all proposals that could have given real alternatives to electrificationincluding:

• Proposal 3: Gas power with carbon capture – voted down by Ap, Right, Frp and Ola Borten Moe.

• Proposal 23: Investigation of alternatives to electrification – voted down by Ap, Right and Left and Ola Borten Moe.

• Suggestions 26 and 27: Alternative power solutions for Finnmark and Melkøya – Voted down by Ap, Right, Tybring-Gjedde and Ola Borten Moe.

It is true that there was one proposal – which applied to the licensing process for future wind power projects – where voting from Ola Borten Moe was crucial. But This proposal was not about electrification of Melkøya. It did not mean the green light for development, only that NVE will process submitted applications. There are still many steps before anything can be expanded.

When Altaposten and Finnmark Dagblad portray it as if Ola Borten Moe’s single vote decided the Melkøya case, they undermine their own credibility. It testifies to either lack of insight into the Storting’s voting – or a wild strategy to push responsibility onto the wrong party.

The Center Party has been at what our national assembly has decided: We do not want Melkøya to be electrified with power from land if it threatens the security of supply and price level in Northern Norway.

We have voted in line with it – and we will continue the fight for realistic, responsible and forward -looking energy solutions for the north.

People in Finnmark deserve facts, not simplifications and erroneous scapegoats.

Geir Adelsten Iversen (SP)

Storting representative for Finnmark