Case studies of EIA in practice - Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment - page 259

currently not affected and the reinforcement of lines in areas already
affected. It is not disputed that in the view of the scale and form of the
towers these lines are inevitably highly intrusive and damaging to almost
any landscape and as a result are unwelcome.
It appears to us that there is a strong case for consideration to be given
to the introduction of procedures to ensure that consents for future power
stations take account of the resulting transmission requirements, and the
environmental impacts of any necessary extension or reinforcement of the
National Grid, between the proposed generating plant and areas of
consumption. (Inspectors' conclusions, 23 September 1993).
The failure of the EIA for Wilton power station to address the implications of
transmission connections resulted in a situation in which “Teesside Power Limited [the
developer] neither had to demonstrate the full implications of the siting and development
of the power station, nor to bear the full economic and environmental costs” (Sheate
1995). This is because there are limits on the costs that can be recouped by NGC for the
provision of transmission connections to individual generating projects. This means that
NGC is under pressure to develop the cheapest options, since any additional costs
incurred to minimize the environmental impact of power lines—such as taking a longer
route through less sensitive areas or placing all or part of the route underground—will be
borne by NGC rather than the power station developer.
9.2.4 Lessons for EIA
Sheate (1995) argues that the Wilton power station case provides powerful evidence that,
at the time, the procedures for consent approval in the electricity supply industry ran
counter to the letter and spirit of the EIA Directive. According to Sheate, the situation
could have been remedied by an amendment to the Electricity and Pipeline Works EIA
Regulations. The suggested amendment read as follows:
An environmental statement shall include information regarding the
overall implications for, and impact of, power transmission lines and other
infrastructure associated with the generating station where these are likely
to have significant effects on the environment. (CPRE, letter to DTI, 22
February 1993)
The effect would be that, in cases where power lines or other associated infrastructure are
likely to have a significant effect on the environment, these impacts should be material
considerations in whether consent for the power station should be given and the Secretary
of State for Energy (now Trade and Industry) should be aware of these before giving
consent.
The consequence of such an amendment would be to ensure that power
station proponents were forced to consider the transmission implications
of their proposals and that they would form part of the EIA and of any