Nov 30 2010
Rocpower, a power firm, had submitted plans to the Leeds Council during the early half of this year for constructing a vegetable oil burning power unit on an area, which is close to Bramham, near Wetherby in West Yorkshire.
The Station, which is situated on the Headley Plantation, is very close to several cottages and farm houses. The proposal has been rejected and Rocpower has been asked to redesign the plan. The plan faced stiff opposition from the local residents and the Parish Councils as they felt this green belt was not appropriate for a power plant, which would have a 25 m chimney. Further the access to the site was only through a narrow lane, which was not suitable for heavy lorries and other vehicles, which would definitely be needed for the delivery of tons of fuel.
One more objection was due to the fear that the emissions from the power plant would be dangerous and it would also ruin the rural landscape and scenery. A group named Biofuelwatch also spoke against the plant stating that combustion of the vegetable oils which were to be imported would generate air pollution and this would release much more emissions than burning natural gas.
A spokesman for the Rocpower, revealed that the company would be back with a re-design of the plan. The planning officer had called for a re-design of the site design for the sake of amenity and visual appeal. The spokesman further revealed that as there were certain time constraints and targets set for the planning department the application had been withdrawn for now. The application would be resubmitted with the requisite re-design in the future.
Robert Palgrave, a spokesman for the Biofuelwatch Campaigners, revealed that such sites would cause combustion of copious tons of vegetable oil year after year. Generating power using biofuels is now a very lucrative business operation with generous subsidies being provided, all paid for by the consumers of electricity. However burning vegetable oils would release a number of air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide which could cause respiratory conditions such as asthma. According to him several scientific evaluations have demonstrated that biofuels production could increase greenhouse gas emissions and thereby speed up climate change. So far this has not really been considered by the policy makers. He further disclosed that the EU was taking a decision on Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) comparing biofuel performance with that of fossil fuels and if the decision is to penalize biofuels then they would not be entitled to subsidies anymore.
According to Rocpower, the emissions would be within the guidelines set by the Government. Its website states that power plants were constructed chiefly to burn the offshoots of industries such as food and paper production and that fuel could originate from anywhere in the world.