Supporting renewable energy, whilst ensuring fair treatment of residents, the environment and respect for the law
Our Mission
The National Biogas Concern Group, Ireland, champions the safeguarding of the environment and supporting the delivery of renewable energy projects that are fair and respectful of rural residents, wildlife, natural resources, the environment and European law. We will advocate for policy that mandates for fairness in statutory planning regulations for the development and location of anaerobic digestion facilities in Ireland. We will also advocate for statutory regulations that enforce rigorous environmental protection, ensure genuine community involvement, and support the development of appropriately scaled, circular bioenergy systems in suitable locations with a safe distance from residential homes and suitable road infrastructure.
Why we have come together
The National Biomethane Strategy acknowledges that whilst biogas plants can bring benefits to the environment, they can be significant constructions, with impacts on the environment, biospheres, and the local communities in the area which they are located. It also states that the planning process should ensure proper consideration of a range of factors, including location, visual impact, land-zoning plans, and ecology.
However, we have found those guidelines to be too loose. As a result of a lack of clear and enforceable national regulations, we are seeing industrial-scale developments being proposed that will have unreasonable impact on local communities, and against the spirit of the national strategy, such as:
Industrial sites in rural communities that lack appropriate infrastucture (e.g. roads, alternative water supplies, emergency response)
Increased traffic on rural roads that are neither wide nor ready for heavy loads, with impact to the local community using them (e.g. cycling, walking, running)
Health and Safety concerns due to proximity to residential dwellings
Potential for water and air pollution, with an impact on biodiversity
Lack of transparent and open engagement with local communities
Who we are
We are a coalition of concerned communities from across the country united in response to the increasing number of industrial-scale biogas plant proposals being processed without appropriate national guidelines in place.
Join our growing coalition:
Ballymackey / Ballyvass / Gort / Killough / Limerick / Macroom / Swinford
