Adelante Andalucía has demanded that the Junta "hit the brakes" on the implementation of biogas plants that, according to their criteria, are being carried out "recklessly" and without providing "any benefit" to the municipalities where they are located. In response to these criticisms, the Minister of Sustainability and Environment, Fina Martínez, has claimed the strict environmental assessment to which these projects are subjected and their role in addressing the "real problem" of managing "certain organic waste" within a "circular economy and fighting against climate change."
During an interpellation in the plenary session of the Andalusian Parliament, the deputy Begoña Iza has called to "be very vigilant" with projects that "are arriving in handfuls" and with "suspicious secrecy," so that residents are "the last" to know about their processing and "have serious difficulties" accessing the documentation.
Iza has focused on the concern they generate in the population as "dangerous" substances have been detected in the vicinity of these facilities that "can be transported by the wind," such as hydrogen, ammonia, volatile organic compounds, bioaerosols, toxins, in addition to "the risks associated with digestate."
"Have you really thought about what could happen if up to 334 biogas factories were installed in the towns of Andalusia?" the deputy asked, insisting that "it does not bring them any benefit at all while the multinationals are left with "their pockets well filled."
The representative of Adelante Andalucía has denounced that "there are many lies surrounding all this," starting with the idea that "it is a green energy." In her opinion, "it is not harmless" and "it produces digestate, which is very polluting." She also claims that "it is false" that it is "a clean energy," because "unbearable odors, explosions" occur in the vicinity of these plants.
Furthermore, she has rejected that it is presented as a circular activity: although in some cases pruning waste from olive groves or pomace is used, she has stated that "they are companies that need to be fed and when waste is lacking, they provide it." "They put factory farms next door, which you are also authorizing, and that's it," she emphasized.
The deputy has also questioned the promise of employment, as, according to her, only "one worker, two, three at most" are needed, and she has denied that they serve to revitalize the rural environment. "Who wants to live in a village that stinks?" she asked.
In this context, he has asked the Board for explanations about the mechanisms to ensure citizen participation in biogas and biomethane projects, the specific evaluation of emissions and odors, inspections once the plants are operational, as well as the commercial destination of the gas and the economic return for the producing territory.
"All this biogas alliance that has been made with corporations, with promoters, smells very bad to us. It is necessary to stop all projects because they are being built recklessly. There is no planning," he has denounced, accusing the Andalusian Executive of "selling" the rural environment and emphasizing that "there are alternatives."
The Board highlights the potential of biogas and environmental control
On the other hand, the counselor of Sustainability and Environment has highlighted the "opportunities" associated with biogas, as it allows the use of certain organic waste, largely from the primary sector, to generate renewable energy and advance in the circular economy."
"The task of this Ministry is to ensure that these facilities are subject to the applicable environmental prevention instruments, that their projects are rigorously evaluated, and that the resolutions of the environmental authorizations incorporate the necessary measures to protect the environment and avoid any type of adverse effect on it," Martínez has stated.
The counselor has detailed that the first step consists of establishing the applicable environmental prevention instrument for each plant: biogas facilities through anaerobic digestion of organic waste need integrated environmental authorization (AAI) if they exceed 75 tons per day or 100 when the only activity is anaerobic digestion. Below those limits, they are subject to simplified unified environmental authorization.
Once the procedure is defined, the analysis of the documentation begins in a complex file that must include, among other elements, the basic project, the environmental impact study with alternative analysis, the assessment of the impact on health, reports on possible effects on historical heritage, on discharges and emissions into the atmosphere, on soil contamination when applicable, and the odor study.
The report from the town hall on the compatibility of the project with territorial and urban planning is also mandatory. This "is not a secondary issue," since, if incompatibility is proven, "it can prevent the authorization from continuing."
Participation mechanisms and final resolution
After passing the first technical review, a public information period opens "so that all interested parties can learn about the project and submit the claims they deem appropriate." At the same time, the various departments of the Junta and the affected administrations are consulted.
"This phase demonstrates that environmental assessment requires a comprehensive vision, that it is not enough to analyze a single aspect, but that all the different potential impacts must be studied and the necessary statements gathered," the counselor has emphasized.
With all the information and once the claims have been resolved, the environmental authorization resolution is issued, which can be unfavorable or favorable and, in the latter case, "incorporates the necessary measures to make the proposed activity compatible with environmental protection" along with a monitoring and surveillance plan.
Biogas, waste, and sustainability
"Biogas is one of the options for certain waste. It is not a universal solution nor should it be presented as such, but it is a possibility for valorization that deserves to be analyzed when it is technically and environmentally appropriate and complies with the regulations, including environmental ones," Martínez has pointed out.
The counselor has thus defended the role of the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment to "evaluate rigorously, demand all necessary environmental guarantees." "Our goal is for the activity, like any other, to be compatible with the protection of the natural environment because sustainable economic development and protection of natural heritage are compatible objectives," she concluded.