"If they are built, they will constitute a threat to Lithuanian-ness. We are concerned that young people will not have families here, and only pensioners will remain. We are asking to suspend the investment plans until a thorough analysis is carried out," Algirdas Vaicekauskas, chairman of the society of Polish Lithuanians, told BNS on Wednesday.
In his words, a lot of questions regarding the plans to build wind turbines remain unanswered, and the local community is not properly consulted.
Mayor of Punsk Vytautas Liskauskas said decisions on wind turbines have not been made yet. He said that only a feasibility study is being prepared, and the local council has to approve a detailed plan and issue construction permits for the project to start.
"These decisions might be made this year or might be cancelled altogether," Liskauskas told BNS, adding that he personally is not a big fan of the project but said economic benefits have to be taken into account.
Over 4,000 people live in Punsk Gmina, with Lithuanians making up 80 percent of the population.
2012 04 25
Poland's Lithuanians concerned over planned wind turbines near Punsk
Lithuanian residents of Poland are concerned over plans to build wind turbines near Punsk, a town in northeastern Poland with a large Lithuanian population. They say that the project might put people off living in traditionally Lithuanian areas.
jegaines / A.Kripaitės/15min.lt nuotr.
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