Aussie biodiesel entrepreneur struggles with NIMBY complaints over odors

In Australia, Perth-based entrepreneur Robin Penfold is in a fight with neighbors over approval of his warehouse-based biodiesel production plant. According to a report in WA Today, “one neighbouring business said that odour from Mr Penfold’s warehouse affected custom, to the point of making clients want to vomit.”

Penfold makes waste oil-based biodiesel collected from hotels and restaurants, and said he did not previously obtain a permit for the business after contacting the local council several years ago, at which time he said that the Council did not know what biodiesel was. The City of Swan has received nine com plaints from neighbors, but has not issued citations to the 280,000 gallons per year capacity enterprise.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Canada’s Collingwood Ethanol appeals Ontario shutdown threat over odor complaints

In Canada, Collingwood Ethanol appealed an order from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to institute a noise and odor action plan by August 27 and implement the plan by August 31. The company sa...

Commodity prices, delays in cellulosic ethanol, struggles of corn ethanol among Oil Drum’s Top 10 Stories for 2008

The Oil Drum, one of of the most prominent and prescient energy blogs, has published its top 10 energy stories summary for 2008. Topping the list: commodity price volatility; delays in cellulosic etha...

Florida entrepreneur launches plan for 120 million sugarcane ethanol operation on former US Sugar land

In Florida, entrepreneur Howard Melamed has offered to lease 192,000 acres of land from the State of Florida for $120 million per year and produce up to 120 million gallons of sugarcane ethanol. Melam...

Wisconsin gasoline retailers sue Renew85, Utica Energy for unfair pricing

A lawsuit has been filed by 42 gasoline retailers  of 42 gasoline stations in Wisconsin against Utica Energy and Renew 85, for selling ethanol blended fuels at below the minimum market price. There...

Some Virginia gas stations selling unlabeled E50; more than 400 consumer complaints; investigation underway

In Virginia, the state Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services is conducting an investigation into reports that stations have been receiving and selling gasoline with up to 50 percent ethano...

Black Warrior Riverkeeper sues Alabama Biodiesel for Clean Water Act violations

Black Warrior Riverkeeper, an environmental group, has filed a suit against Alabama Biodiesel for Clean Water Act violations. The lawsuit stems from complaints by local residents about oily residue do...