Le Figaro Lyon
“Our fear is that the work could put persistent organic pollutants contained in the sediments back into circulation
. ”
Elected environmentalists are mobilizing against a dam project in a still wild area of the Rhône, in the consultation phase, worrying about the possible release into the waters of the river of “pollutants” contained in the sediments if the project is validated.
The regional secretary of the environmental group Margot Savin mentions
“quantities of PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) and dioxins 500 times higher than the European standard”
.
“This pollution could end up in downstream communities and impact drinking water
,” according to this press release.
The “Rhônergia” project, led by the Compagnie nationale du Rhône (CNR), proposes to establish a few kilometers upstream of the confluence between the Ain and the Rhône, a hydroelectric dam-plant with a drop of 6.8 meters.
Located in the municipalities of Saint-Romain-de-Jalionas (Isère) and Loyettes (Ain), it would be preceded by a 22 kilometer long reservoir to slow down the flow of the river, and a 4 km dike .
According to the CNR, the infrastructure could produce 140 GW/h per year, or the annual electricity needs of 60,000 inhabitants for a currently expected cost of 330 million euros.
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Strong opposition in the municipalities
The question of risks is
“absent in the consultation phase”
scheduled until the end of February, according to Margot Savin, hoping that the CNR
“points out all the risks and alternative proposals”
in its report to the State, before taking decision.
Joined by AFP, the CNR for its part assured that
“these themes are addressed within the framework of the consultation”
and
“will appear in the assessment”
, while committing to
“listen to everyone’s remarks and proposals”
.
The project arouses strong opposition in the municipalities concerned, due to its cost and its environmental impact, the chosen site corresponding to one of the rare undeveloped areas of the river.
Critically, the Earth Uprisings advocate
“other solutions”
such as the
“modernization of existing dams”
.
A decision from the State is expected in mid-2024 for first validation of the project, before opening a public inquiry and final arbitration in 2027, with, in the event of a green light, planned delivery of the new dam in 2033.