Awakening: Finnish wind power may benefit from NATO membership | A minor may soon drive a driver’s license

Eastern and south-eastern Finland has significantly less wind power and the tax revenue it generates than the west coast and central Finland. The reason is the need for the Defense Forces to keep the field of view of the area’s explorations unobstructed. Research Director of LUT University Petteri Laaksonen estimates that the region has lost billions of euros in wind power investment and tens of thousands of jobs in the long term. According to Laaksonen, co-operation with NATO countries could change air surveillance so that wind power would no longer interfere with research. The Defense Forces are exploring the possibilities.

Applications for age exemptions have congested the Finnish Transport Agency Traficom, and the government wants to waive the exemption altogether. The 17-year-old could drive the card with parental permission, although only one passenger should be taken on board and night driving would be prohibited. The police, Traffic Safety and the Finnish Driving School Association believe that traffic safety will deteriorate further. Minister of Transport defending the bill Timo Harakka (sd.) says 17-year-olds can no longer be completely banned from driving once it has been allowed.

Rainfall is declining in the south, but a uniform rainfall area is spreading to the northeast, bringing with it heavy rainfall. Further south there will be showers. Temperatures are in the southern and central parts of the country in stages of 15 degrees, in the north they remain close to about five degrees.