10/08/2010 (Biofuels Digest) - In the UK, a proposed biodiesel-run power plant in Bristol is under fire because campaigners are claiming that the palm oil used to generate electricity would cause environmental damage. Planning permission was denied in February by city councilors, which has triggered a public enquiry.

The councilors had been advised by planning officers that the source of the fuel was not a “material planning matter” and therefore could not be taken into account when deciding whether to grant permission, but the planning inspector must hear legal arguments first from campaigners to determine if their evidence will be included in the enquiry.

The project’s developers only plan to use palm oil until there is enough jatropha oil available to fuel to plant.