Residents of Colmenar Viejo and Tres Cantos protest again against the biogas plant due to its environmental impact.

Colmenar Viejo, Oct 24 (EFE).— The Stop Biogas Association of Colmenar Viejo and Tres Cantos has called for a new demonstration this Sunday against the construction of a biogas production plant, due to the consequences it would have on health, air quality, water, and soil.

Health and environmental risks Stop Biogas asserts that the installation of the large-scale plant threatens to disrupt the quality of life of residents in both towns, located in the northern part of the Community of Madrid. The project would be located just 1.2 kilometers from the Ángel Corella Institute, 1.5 kilometers from a health center and residential areas, and next to a gas station.

The platform warns of the environmental impact the infrastructure would generate due to the emissions of toxic and polluting gases, such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and PM2.5 and PM10 particles, which are harmful to health.

Dimensions and waste

According to the association, the plant would occupy an area equivalent to 18 football fields—a surface area that could double in the future—and would manage approximately 75,000 tons of waste per year, including 15,000 tons of slurry and manure.

Stop Biogas also warns that the facility would not be completely airtight, which would increase the risk of air, water, and soil contamination, as well as generating unpleasant odors, toxic emissions, heavy metals, bacteria, and polluting liquids.

Traffic and pollution

Transporting the waste would involve the transit of at least 7,000 trucks annually, which would increase traffic on local roads and air pollution, residents complain.

Residents of Colmenar Viejo and Tres Cantos lament that the area is becoming the "dumpster of the north" of the Community of Madrid, with the resulting environmental degradation, devaluation of homes and businesses, and loss of quality of life.

Complaint to Europe

The Colmenar Viejo Neighborhood Association has filed a formal complaint with the European institutions, warning them about the authorization and financing process for the future macro-plant.

According to the platform, the project will not replace the current Colmenar Viejo waste dump—very close to Tres Cantos—which already collects garbage from nearly 80 municipalities in the northern part of Madrid.

Stop Biogas Colmenar Viejo and Tres Cantos insists that biogas, as a sustainable alternative, "requires an appropriate location and design."

For its part, the communications agency of the company promoting the facility explained to EFE that the plant, whose dimensions (6,200 square meters) will be "smaller than the Colmenar Viejo football pitch," at 6,600 square meters, will incorporate advanced biofilters and activated carbon systems "capable of eliminating up to 99% of odors."

In addition, it will have a double-lock system in the unloading and treatment areas "that prevents any leaks to the outside," so that the warehouse "is under vacuum, meaning air enters but does not exit."

"The sponsoring companies have committed to not using slurry throughout the plant's lifespan, although regulations permit it after the sixth year. Their facilities will process only urban and industrial organic waste (the bag placed in the brown container with organic waste, such as eggshells, fruit, or coffee grounds)," the company's communications agency adds.

Furthermore, sources explain that the plant will prioritize the treatment of organic waste from residents of Colmenar Viejo and its surrounding area, "which will prevent tons of organic waste from continuing to be buried in the municipal landfill." EFEverde

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