EIA - example from Bjarnarflag in Iceland

Abstract

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been carried out four times for a geothermal power plant in Bjarnarflag, Iceland, the first one for a 20 MWe plant, the second one for a 2×20 MWe plant and a 132 kV power transmission line to the Krafla power plant, the third one for a 40 MWe plant and a 132 kV power transmission line to the Krafla power plant, and the last one for a 90 MWe plant and a 132 kV power transmission line to the Krafla power plant. The first three assessments were carried out in accordance with the first Icelandic Act on Environmental Impact from 1993. The first two reports were shelved due to negative reaction and probably an inadequate mechanism for dealing with such reaction. The third EIA got a ruling from the Planning Agency of Iceland that further assessment was required. These requirements showed up a flaw in the 1993 Act in that a scoping document to be adhered to during assessment and taken into account in comments and rulings was not needed. The last Environmental Impact Assessment was carried out with reference to an Act passed by the parliament in 2000 in which several alterations had been made, among them that a scoping document was mandatory and that in comments and rulings investigations not due according to that document could not be asked for. The Planning Agency then ruled in favour of the project. One deep well has already been drilled and two are due very soon.