Press Release - 7am Thursday
Email: media@thecoalhole.org
Phone: 07876753254 or 07775654500
Website: thecoalhole.org
PROTESTERS BLOCKADE COAL POWER STATION
Second protest in three days kicks off summer of discontent against coal
***PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS AND VIDEO AVAILABLE***
Thursday 3rd April, 2008: At 7am this morning, protesters chained themselves together and blockaded both roads into Aberthaw power station - the biggest polluter in Wales.
It is the second protest against coal in three days. These protests are the first of many planned this summer against coal, which is the most polluting fossil fuel. Protests coincide with the Government plans for a new generation of coal mines and power stations.
On Tuesday 1st April, a separate group of protesters shut Ffos-y-Fran opencast coal mine near Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, by chaining themselves to machinery, blocking the main entrance and occupying buildings.
Organisers of the Camp for Climate Action are also planning to focus on coal by holding their week-long protest in August on the site of the proposed Kingsnorth power station in Kent.
“We are at Aberthaw to expose the Government’s hypocrisy on climate change,” one protester said. “Ministers talk about reducing emissions by 60 or 80%, but they continue to support destructive methods of power generation like coal. Aberthaw is the biggest polluter in Wales - power stations like this should be phased out and replaced with renewable energy. Here in South Wales, we have an incredible potential for wind and tidal technologies.
“We need to act immediately - there is very little time left to avoid the point where climate change runs out of control.”
Energy Minister John Hutton is expected to give the green light to Kingsnorth soon. Yesterday, a group of scientists from the Royal Society wrote to Hutton demanding that he reject the new plant unless the carbon could be captured.
Another protester said: “Kingsnorth would negate any attempt to meet our carbon emissions targets. We need to get our own house in order before we tell other countries how to avoid destructive climate change.”
PHOTOS: Professional, high-resolution images high-quality video are available of the protest
INTERVIEWS: Interviews are available with the protesters, in both Welsh and English
Ends.
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