Watchdog slams anti-wind group

January 23rd 2008

RUNGA, the anti-wind group led by Alan Benstead who opposed turbines at the Lotus headquarters in Hethel, were publicly shamed today by an adjudication from the ASA, a body that exists to ensure truth and accuracy in publications.

Ecotricity went to the ASA after RUNGA published and distributed two leaflets in which they made wild and unsubstantiated claims about the proposed development at Hethel.

“The leaflets amounted to nothing more than scaremongering, creating fear based on half truths, exaggerations and lies. They were put together with the aim to cause panic in the local community.” Dale Vince OBE, MD Ecotricity.

Ecotricity made nine complaints in total. The ASA today upheld each and every one stating that RUNGAs claims were not only unfounded, they were “likely to mislead”. The group also came in for some specific criticism for failing to respond to the ASA when they were making their investigations. The ASA said that RUNGA showed a total “disregard” for the standards set out by the consumer rights organisation.

“RUNGA not only have disregard for the standards set out by the ASA but also a disregard for the truth. We are very diligent about all the information we put out in the public domain and unfortunately groups like RUNGA don’t feel the same obligation.”

“The ruling today should make clear to everyone living around Hethel who’ve been exposed to RUNGA that the group, and the things they say about wind energy, simply don’t have any credibility.”

You can view the ASA ruling in full on their website.

You can also view our Lotus wind park project page to find out more about the project - including an online exhibition with photomontages.