Biofuel Plant

This page is for the sharing of information relating to the proposed new biofuel plant in Sheffield.

Objections

1. General: a growing population, peak oil and climate change will all put increasing demands on the global food system and increased demand for agricultural land. Deforestation is the major cause of climate change along with the burning of fossil fuels. Indonesia is the world's third biggest emitter of CO2[1] due to it's slash and burn approach to clearing forests to make way for palm oil plantations. With a need for more agricultural land on a finite planet biofuels increase pressure and create profits for countries willing to destroy their forests.
2. Best use: Biofuels sourced locally would be better used as a replacement for liquid fuels (eg for transport) rather than to generate electricity. Cleaner technologies exist for electricity (solar, wind, tidal etc). Converting biofuels is also wasteful of a dense energy source. Energy is always wasted when converted from one form to another. Peak oil is imminent.
3. Local pollution: Vegetable oil burning emits nitrogen oxides and small particulates linked to respiratory illnesses and heart problems
4. Not an eco-friendly company: Hargreaves, the company who want to build the plant, have no interest in the environment. They are also involved in coal and coke along with biomass.
5. NOT Sustainable: Although billed as sustainable large monoculture crops need gas and oil for fertilizer and pesticides. Both are obviously finite resources.

December letter to Sheffield Councillors

Dear friends,

Thank you for objecting to Rocpower’s applications to build biofuel power stations in Ecclesfield, Sheffield and/or Baraugh Green, Barnsley. Due to the “public interest”, the Barnsley application needs to be improved and re-submitted. More information has been requested by planners about the Sheffield one. We will also put news on our website (www.biofuelwatch.org.uk).

So far, three other local authorities have voted against applications for biofuel power stations. In each of these cases, informing local Councillors had been an important part of the campaigns.

We would therefore be grateful if those of you in Sheffield could contact your local Councillor to express your concerns about Rocpower’s plans. A visit or phone call can be particularly effective. If you would like to write to your Councillors, please feel free to copy, paste and adjust the draft letter and make sure to add your name and address. If you are not sure who your Councillors are, you can find out their details here:

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-city-council/councillors .

If you would like to discuss anything regarding Rocpower’s application in more detail, please either email us or phone Almuth on 01224-324797.

Many thanks!

Best regards,

Biofuelwatch

N.B. Some people may find the letter more convenient as [a Word file]

Links and Resources

If you find any good links or info you think especially useful add them to the list:

• Original Biofuel Watch Alert [2]
• Research from German TV company showing how a biofuel plant there switched from local oilseed rape to palm oil because it was cheaper [3]
• Meeting the Energy Challenge - May 2007 Government Energy White Paper cited by Hargreaves as a justification to build these plants. A major concern is reducing CO2. [4]
• The Myth of Sustainable Palm Oil - useful Greenpeace article [5]
• 300-350 Show - Saving Forests Climate Radio program of October 27th 2009, with Nathaniel Dyer of the Rainforest Foundation UK. There's also a Channel 4 clip highlighting the irony of chopping down forests to grow biofuels.