Italian communities protest biomethane plant developments

Local opposition to biomethane plant projects is intensifying in two Italian regions due to environmental and health concerns.

In Bojano, the civic movement ‘Area Matese’ has formally requested the Prefect of Campobasso to convene an institutional mediation table. The group argues that the proposed plant in Codacchio ignores regional zoning constraints. They highlight that the Bojano plain is classified as a critical area due to PM2.5 particulate levels exceeding safety thresholds, which requires mandatory continuous air quality monitoring via fixed stations—a requirement they claim has been bypassed in the current project authorization.

In Casanova del Morbasco, the ‘No Biometano’ committee is urging the local municipality to appeal to the Council of State following a regional administrative court ruling that rejected a challenge against a biogas-to-biomethane conversion plant. Residents expressed concerns regarding increased heavy traffic, odors, and potential decreases in property values. The committee is also planning legal actions regarding the constitutional right to health and seeking damages for economic losses.