Swedish court gives Preem OK for $1.6B biodiesel expansion despite 1M MT more GHGs

In Sweden, Reuters reports that a court has given the go ahead for Preem’s planned $1.6 billion expansion project that would produce biodiesel at its largest oil refinery. The case revolved around the role of allowing additional carbon emissions expansion, to the tune of 1 million metric tons per year, which goes counter to the ruling government’s aim of reducing carbon emissions. The expansion that has been in the planning for a decade would make the company the country’s largest polluter. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the government has also promised new jobs, so will find itself in a pickle when deciding whether to let the project go ahead. Preem said no additional crude would be processed as a result of the expansion.