Biogas an all-rounder

»Biogas presents a great opportunity for rural areas«

Interview with Hans Popp, Mayor of the town of Merkendorf

Mr Popp, you spent many years working for a large German corporation which is also active in the nuclear energy sector. Today, you are the Mayor of a town which has become a renewable energy model. How do the two fit together?

In the past I was not opposed to nuclear power. Today I think that the need for an energy revolution is undisputed. The true costs of nuclear energy have never been calculated and the problems concerning the permanent storage of nuclear waste still haven’t been solved. Despite being a member of the CSU, I am unhappy about the recent “Nuclear Pact” signed by the current German government. This was a decision taken against the will of the majority of the population.

Merkendorf has already come a long way in the energy revolution. Thanks to biogas, the town is able to generate enough electricity to cover its own demand. How important is biogas for your town?

Biogas presents a great opportunity for rural areas. Starting up biogas production will propel a farmer into a different league. He will need professional partners, mainly skilled tradesmen, which triggers a regional value-added chain. I can only encourage people to become active in the field of renewable energy. Here in Merkendorf, each project is assured of constructive support from the local authorities.

What does “constructive support” mean?

It means, for example, that we help with applications, which helps the operator of a biogas plant to receive the required permits more quickly. The fee we charge for heating pipes laid across public property is very low. The most important factor, however, is that we work together with the biogas farmers, coordinating the timing of projects. We have been able to coordinate the laying of pipes for heating networks with general regeneration work in five cases, and once the pipes were laid during road renovation works.

All that sounds great. In other communities, the public opinion towards biogas is not all that positive. Inhabitants are worried about possible odours, politicians fear complaints.

Odour emissions are not that much of a problem, at least in plants fed with renewable raw materials. The only smell that may occur would be from a silo, but such odours are restricted to a distance of 300 metres. Farmers and operators of biogas plants have a vested interest in preventing odours and gaining the population’s acceptance. I can say from my own experience that often, the negative mood against biogas is triggered by envy. Envy is a problem which can be overcome, as long as we do not lose sight of our overall objectives. The belief that only a few will benefit from biogas is a complete fallacy: not only the operators benefit, but also the planners and manufacturers of the plants, installers, electricians and – ultimately – the community at large, because everyone involved pays taxes. A considerable portion of trade taxes in Merkendorf is generated from biogas plant operators and the energy park. On top of that, citizens profit from being supplied with a form of heat which is less dependent on the price increases for fossil fuels.

What would you recommend to towns or villages that would like to follow Merkendorf’s example?

My advice would be to proactively address the topic of renewable energy, and to enter into dialogue with the citizens.

Info: a five-minute film about Merkendorf has been made on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment. This is available online at www.bmu.de (Mediathek/Mulitmedia/vorbildliche Klimaschutzprojekte).