Biofuel firm willing to install UK’s first independent monitor
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Monitored: W4B Bristol said it was inspired by Cllr Gary Hopkins to install an independent sustainability monitor
The company behind the controversial biofuel plant planned for Avonmouth has said it is willing to have the UK’s first independent monitoring system to ensure the power station is sustainable.
In a letter to Bristol24-7, a spokesman for W4B Bristol said the idea was inspired by a meeting with Councillor
Gary Hopkins, Executive Member for Environment and Community Safety.
The independent body would, it said, ensure that “the residents of Bristol can hold the company fully accountable for its actions and ensure every tonne of oil used at the plant is sustainable”.
The company added that “the commitment would be for the lifetime of the plant, is in direct response to concerns raised by Bristol residents and will, if accepted by the Council, be the first of its kind in the United Kingdom”.
The letter came in response to comments made by council leader Barbara Janke, reported by Bristol24-7 on Friday, in which he came in opposition to the plant.
The Liberal Democrat councillor for Clifton said she did not want Bristol to be a “test-bed for environmentally damaging technologies which…. flew in the face of what we are trying to do in the city”.
Senior Liberal Democrat councillor Steve Comer questioned his party leader’s decision at the weekend, which he said placed his own planning committee’s independence at stake.
Now W4B Bristol has written in a wide-ranging response to Cllr Janke’s claims, saying that:
- W4B Bristol is opposed to the production of palm oil grown on land that has involved the destruction of rain forest;
- The company intends to use a mix of available vegetable oils that will deliver the maximum possible reduction in greenhouse gas emissions;
- It will only use oils that are sustainable as defined by government watchdog Ofgem;
- W4B Bristol does not encourage farmers to switch from food production to the production of jatropha oil.
The spokesman added that the company was happy to meet with Cllr Janke – who has today travelled to Copenhagen for the Climate Summit for Mayors – at any time to discuss her concerns.
A meeting is due to take place on Friday, in which W4B Bristol will set out their plans in detail to businesses and council representatives.
You can read the full text of W4B Bristol’s response by clicking here…
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