Lugo approves minimum distance for biogas plants amid local protests

The Lugo City Council has approved a modification to its Environmental Protection Ordinance, requiring biogas plants located on rural land to be situated at least 3,000 meters away from population centers. Mayor Elena Candia described the measure as pioneering, noting it responds to local resident mobilization against projects such as the one in Coeses.

The decision comes amid a lack of specific regional or national regulations. While the local platform ‘Lugo non quere cheiros’ argues the 3,000-meter buffer is insufficient, there are concerns that the Xunta could bypass local rules by designating such projects as being of regional interest.

In Aragon, political efforts to regulate biogas and biomethane plants have faced setbacks. The PSOE proposed a law to implement a six-month moratorium and territorial planning based on proximity and public participation, but the motion was rejected by votes from the PP and Vox. This leaves approximately 75 projects currently in processing within the community without a unified regulatory framework.