Reykjavík Energy has been accused of withholding information about Magma Energy’s purchase of HS Orka. The matter has been referred to an appeals committee for review.
According to a statement to the press, Jón Þórisson and Haraldur Hallgrímsson requested from Reykjavík Energy all available information on the relationship between Magma Energy AB Sweden og Magma Energy Corporation in Canada, and the sale of HS Orka, citing freedom of information laws 23/2006 and 50/1996. Reykjavík Energy rejected the request, saying that the matter refers to “information regarding business with shares and will not be disclosed”.
In response, the matter has been referred to an appeals committee. The claimants state that the public has a right to all of this information because law 23/2006 “guarantees the public access to information regarding environmental matters that the government has control over … to support and strengthen awareness of environmental matters, a free exchange of opinions, and to increase public participation in making decisions about environmental matters.” As HS Orka is one of the largest energy companies in Iceland, all information about its sale and who is buying it is, the claimants argue, an environmental matter that the law itself says the public has the right to access.
For more on the Magma Energy, start with Grapevine’s feature, Blame Canada. From there, go to our news archives for a veritable treasure trove of information on the ongoing struggle between Iceland and Magma Energy.