Government parties want protection of Lofoten
Environmentalists rejoice as both the two junior partners in the Norwegian government coalition say they want a full protection of the hydrocarbon-rich Lofoten waters.
Both the Socialist Left Party and the Centre Party now openly say that they want the Lofoten waters to remain protected against the oil industry. Meanwhile, their senior government partner, the Labour Party, is likely to support drilling in the area.
Also several of the opposition parties want an opening of the area. The Progress Party, the biggest party in recent polls, now in strong words criticises the government for its negative focus on the Lofoten issue. The party accuses Minister of Oil and Energy, Aslaug Haga – the leader of the Centre Party – of showing distrust for the oil industry.
-Aslaug Haga shows massive distrust in the oil industry when she now concludes that the oil industry is incapable of tackling the conditions outside Lofoten and Vesteralen, energy spokesman for the Progress Party, Mr. Ketil Solvik-Olsen says to Nordlys.
Ms Haga this week confirmed to the press that the Centre Party will remain opposed to drilling in the Lofoten area also after 2010. The statement triggered enthusiasm among environmentalists who argue that the vulnerable area must be protected against the oilmen.
The waters outside Lofoten are believed to hide major amounts of hydrocarbons, and the oil industry is stepping up pressure on government to get access. A management plan protects the area against drilling. However, the plan is to be revised in 2010.
Read the Norwegian Integrated Management of the Marine Environment of the Barents Sea and the Sea Areas off the Lofoten Islands (management plan) here
