Public information on the environmental study of the Esplús biomethane plant

The Aragonese Institute of Environmental Management (INAGA) has initiated the public information process for the environmental impact study and the basic project for the Integrated Environmental Authorization (AAI) of an anaerobic digestion and biomethane generation plant promoted by Columbus Biogas I, SA in the municipality of Esplús (Huesca). The announcement, which opens a period of thirty days to submit observations and allegations, is published in the Official Gazette of Aragon number 208, dated October 27, 2026, with the official reference BOA20261027035 and file number INAGA 500301/02/2024/12688.

A double process: environmental impact and integrated authorization

The opening of public participation is supported by articles 28 and 55 of Law 11/2014, of December 4, on Environmental Prevention and Protection of Aragon, and constitutes an integral phase of both the environmental impact assessment procedure and the Integrated Environmental Authorization. The announcement, published in section V (Announcements), under the other announcements section, depends on the Department of Environment and Tourism of the Government of Aragon.

According to the official text, Columbus Biogas I, SA has requested the AAI for the anaerobic digestion plant and biomethane generation project to be located in the municipality of Esplús. The same project is subject to the environmental impact assessment procedure, and INAGA considers that its execution “will not produce significant environmental effects on another European Union State.”

Who decides and how to participate

The competence to formulate the environmental impact statement and resolve the AAI request corresponds to the Aragonese Institute of Environmental Management. The bodies where information can be obtained and observations, allegations, and inquiries can be submitted are:

• the Aragonese Institute of Environmental Management;
• the City Council of Esplús.

The available period is thirty days starting from the day following the publication of the announcement in the Official Gazette of Aragon. Public participation must be carried out during this period exclusively electronically, in accordance with the fourth additional provision of Law 10/2013, of December 19, of the Aragonese Institute of Environmental Management, modified by Law 1/2021, of February 11, on administrative simplification. Any electronic registry of the Administration may be used and, preferably, the electronic address indicated in the announcement itself.

Available documentation and final resolution

The environmental impact study and the basic project are available to the public for consultation on the electronic headquarters of INAGA (https://www.aragon.es/inaga/informacionpublica). The planned forms of participation are those inherent to this public information process and the consultation of interested parties and affected public administrations.

It is the responsibility of the Director of the Aragonese Institute of Environmental Management to grant, if applicable, the Integrated Environmental Authorization, which is established as the final administrative resolution against which the appropriate appeals may be filed. The environmental impact statement will be integrated into that same resolution, as established in article 56 of Law 11/2014.

The announcement was signed in Zaragoza on October 5, 2026, by Diana Remón Galindo, Head of Area III of Industrial Environment.

Relevance

This process is the final formal window for neighbors, entities, and affected administrations to voice their opinions before INAGA decides on an industrial biomethane project in the surroundings of Esplús, and its status as a definitive authorization makes this allegations phase the primary mechanism of public control prior to the resolution.

Source: Official Gazette of Aragon, no. 208, October 27, 2026, section V (Announcements), page corresponding to the Department of Environment and Tourism (official reference: BOA20261027035).