Ecologistas en Acción Lanzarote has expressed its rejection of the construction of a biogas plant in Arrecife, warning that it would emit "odors" and "polluting gases into the atmosphere." "It could lead to serious consequences, especially due to its proximity to a population center," warns the environmental association, which urges the competent bodies to "rethink the project."
In addition, in a statement, it wanted to respond to the Arrecife government group for the statements it made on this issue in the last City Council Plenary held on September 24. "The most serious was the intervention of the Councilor for Urban Planning, Eduardo Placeres, who stated that he had in his possession a favorable report made by Ben Magec-Ecologistas en Acción, for the construction of the plant located in Puerto Naos. Ecologistas en Acción Lanzarote has been confirmed by the Ben Magec Federation that this is absolutely false," they assure, so they urge him to rectify.
Similarly, they question the words of the mayor, who went so far as to say that "all environmental groups in the world are in favor of this type of industry," when "the reality is that most environmentalists oppose this type of waste treatment." In fact, the association emphasizes that "several complaints have already been filed against the management of this type of plant in Madrid, Valencia or Galicia."
"Does not meet environmental levels"
In this regard, Ecologistas en Acción Lanzarote clarifies that the type of plant that is intended to be installed "does not meet the desired environmental levels, as is the case with composting plants and with which better results can be obtained." In this case, it states that there are "numerous disadvantages and inconveniences" in the project to install this biogas plant, "which is intended to be located in the Puerto Naos area, just 250 meters from homes and which, supposedly, will have capacity for a treatment of 31,000 tons/year of organic waste."
"In this plant, commercial organic waste would be managed to convert it into biomethane, food CO2 and biodigest for agricultural use, including in its process Liquefied Natural Gas, imported from the peninsula and stored in the plant itself. At no time do they intend to generate electrical energy as occurs with the biomethanization plant existing in the Zonzamas Environmental Complex, as was commented on in the plenary session of the City Council, but rather the storage of these products obtained for subsequent commercialization," the association specifies.
"On the one hand, there is the inefficiency in the management of this plant in particular, since the biodigest that is intended to be produced does not yet have authorization for its commercialization and would have to be taken to a landfill or another authorized manager. On the other hand, it is a very expensive system compared to composting plants, providing harmful results and especially odors that harm the population. In addition, Liquefied Natural Gas must be transported for storage and use in the plant. Finally, it should be said that they intend to place two torches for the burning of the surplus, emitting not only odors but also polluting gases into the atmosphere," the group concludes.
