“My objective is to reconcile public health, environmental and economic issues, but also energy supply” underlines François Desquesnes by evoking a “file complex”. “In terms of modification of the sector plan, no deadline is strictly prescribed at the time of decision.”
We know that the procedure for revising the sector plan is still in progress, and that the Walloon government must decide on this subject. “The administration’s report arrived at the end of August and was analyzed by my services immediately. Then, I met representatives of the REVOLHT association on September 16 and representatives of Elia on September 30. The two bilateral exchanges led to a similar and positive conclusion: the two actors are ready to follow the logic desired by the Regional Policy Declaration, namely the establishment of a constructive dialogue between these stakeholders on the possible technical and economic solutions for the construction of the Hainaut Loop. As a result, my services are currently working on developing a focus group and defining its framework.”
Ensuring calm dialogue
“A letter was sent to the two main actors, asking them to communicate to us precisely the different themes and points of attention that they wish to address. I imagine that I will receive them soon. They will then be compiled with a view to specify the form and content of future discussions. The municipalities and agricultural organizations concerned will also be part of this consultation phase, in a second phase. This period of dialogue also leads to the pausing of the legal procedure. is timely, on the one hand, to ensure a calm dialogue between the actors around the table, and on the other hand, because the results of the dialogue work will make it possible to detail the elements to be studied in the additional study to the report on environmental impacts which will clearly be required.”
Laurent Devin took note of this information, with some satisfaction. “In all cases, for us, it is about protecting the health of local residents, the environment, and ensuring energy supplies, particularly in Hainaut.”
