Press release

Green light for destructive Bristol biofuels power plant slammed

11 February 2011

Today's decision (Friday 11 February 2011) by the Government to give the go- ahead to a biofuel-burning power station in Bristol has been slammed by Friends of the Earth. The green campaigning charity warned that the power plant will help wreck forests and our climate.

Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles gave the go-ahead to the plant today after the original application was rejected by Bristol City Council in February 2010 because of fears about its environmental impact.

Friends of the Earth's biofuels campaigner Kenneth Richter said:

"It's astonishing that the Government has overturned Bristol City Council's decision and given the green light to this planet-wrecking power plant.

"We urgently need real solutions to the UK's energy challenges - but burning palm oil biofuels on this scale will destroy wildlife-rich forests and increase climate-changing emissions.

"Developing the UK's huge green power potential and slashing energy waste are far safer for the planet, and will create thousands of new job and business opportunities."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. WB4, the company applying to build the power station, has said they will initially burn 90,000 tonnes of palm oil per year from Indonesia and Malaysia at the outset, and then use jatropha from India or Africa at a later date.

According to the United Nations the expansion of palm oil plantations is the premier driver of deforestation in South East Asia. Latest research shows that burning palm oil biofuel is worse for the climate than fossil fuel because of the climate impacts of the resulting deforestation.

2. The planning inspector at the August 2010 public inquiry, Mr T Cookson, ruled that evidence on the environmental and social impacts of growing biofuels were not relevant to the planning decision on whether or not the biofuel burner should go ahead. The government did not agree and asked for more evidence from objectors. They now say that only fuel that can meet "sustainability criteria"
should be burnt. Currently there are no mandatory UK standards for liquid biofuels used in power stations. The proposed EU standards are too weak and ignore many of the social and environmental impacts of biofuels.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust