Engie’s biogas plant pollution is at the center of a major court case. Prosecutor Jean-Baptiste Doubliez is asking for a fine of 150,000 euros, including 75,000 suspended, for the river pollution that had dramatic consequences in August 2020.
During the trial at the Quimper criminal court, the public prosecutor highlighted what he considered to be Engie’s “negligence” in this matter. According to him, “nothing has been done to ensure that alarm levels are sufficient”.
The Causes of the Incident: Back to the Facts
On August 17, 2020, a technical incident at the Châteaulin biogas plant led to a tank overflowing. The plant produces methane gas from manure, slurry and waste from the food industry. As a result, around 400 m3 of digestate, the organic matter produced by the methanization process, flowed into the Aulne, upstream of a drinking water plant.
As a result of this pollution, the water is no longer fit for consumption. A prefectoral decree restricted the use of drinking water in 50 communes, affecting 180,000 people, including Châteaulin, a large part of Quimper and the Crozon peninsula, a popular tourist destination. Immerse yourself in the repercussions of this situation on the daily lives of local residents.
Charges Requested: Prosecutor Demands Accountability
The magistrate requested a conviction for two offences, including “discharge of harmful substances into groundwater, surface water or the sea”. However, he asked to be acquitted of the offence of “pollution by discharge into freshwater or fish farming of substances harmful to fish”.
The local authorities and civil-society associations called for a conviction for the offence of “pollution of theenvironment by discharge into freshwater or fish farming of substances harmful to fish”. They believe that the ammonia discharge has had a detrimental impact on the fish.
Environmental issues and methanization in Brittany
Thomas Dubreuil, lawyer for the Eau et Rivières de Bretagne association, emphasized the “unreasonable development of methanization in Brittany” during the trial. Antoine de La Faire, CEO of Engie Bioz, admitted a “design problem” in this “recent sector”, which is “undergoing continuous improvement”.
The Decision Waiting: Towards what Condemnation?
The maximum penalty in this case is a fine of 375,000 euros. The decision has been reserved and will be handed down on November 16. Stay tuned for the outcome of this major legal case.
