A parliamentary proposal would declare the area surrounding Geysir to be legally protected from development – something the private owners of the area object to, saying it could be used for geothermal energy.
Vísir reports that the proposal has been met with strong objections, presented by Supreme Court attorney Hjörleifur Kvaran on behalf of the owners. He contends that passing the proposal, without consultation of the private owners of the land, is a violation of the law.
Furthermore, he points out that what is referred to as the “Geysir area” is an area of some 20 hectares, cordoned off by a fence. However, the entire geothermal field around Geysir spans some five square kilometres. This area of geothermal activity, he contends, has the power to produce 45 megawatts of electricity and generate tens of millions of crowns in revenue, if tapped. The proposal does not make a distinction, he says, regarding what counts as the “Geysir area”.
The owners object to the legality of the proposal, and of being prevented from using land they own to generate revenue for themselves.They have vowed to fight the proposal’s passage.
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