On January 6 Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s planning committee approved W4B's revised application for a power station on Portland using internal combustion engines.

Everyone is expecting that the plant, if built, will run on virgin palm oil. The reason for this is that for this project to be financially viable, W4B would need to use fuels that attract Renewable Obligations Certificates (ROCs) - a form of subsidy granted on the basis that the fuel is 'sustainable'.

At the moment virgin palm oil used in a power plant attracts 2 ROCs (more than wind power). Those opposing this plant have attacked this on environmental grounds and argue that such fuels in no way justify ROCs.

They do not believe the planning decision is the end of the matter and have formed themselves into a new group: No Oil Palm Energy (NOPE) ROCs lead to increased electricity prices. If they lead to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, then we believe it is a price we have to pay.

But if they don't; if they merely line the pockets of those who are not producing a genuine service, then we strongly object.

Until now the British government has been able to set its own criteria as to what attracts ROCs.

However, by the end of this year the government must comply with the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

Friends of the Earth, supported by other NGOs, have concluded that palm oil cannot possibly meet the RED criteria for sustainable biofuels, and hence the criteria for issuing ROCs will have to change.

In this situation the only principled decision the government can take is to declare an immediate moratorium on the issue of ROCs for biofuels until the regulations have been revised to comply with the RED, and to warn developers such as W4B to hold off on construction.

To allow W4B ROCs 'under the wire' would destroy any credibility the government might have on environmental matters.

David Smith, Weymouth.