This is why we've taken the unusual step of occupying West Burton gas power station. The new gas plant - which was only partially in operation and wasn't connected to the grid - is now shut down and cannot emit greenhouse gases while we're on top of two of its 80-metre-high chimneys. Every day that we're here, we're preventing 2371 tonnes of C)2 from being emitted, as much as an average home would use in 182 years. we have set up camp and have enough supplies to keep us here for at least a week. Earlier today, we even managed to string a line between the two occupied towers and someone has shimmied across so that we can share resources. We are a group of people from many different parts of the country, including two from Nottinghamshire.
We're doing this because the Government and the big energy companies want to build as many as twenty new gas power stations. This will leave the UK dependent on this highly-polluting and increasingly expensive fuel for decades to come, when renewable energy could meet our energy needs and dramatically decrease the UK's contribution to climate change.
A quarter of the UK's ancient energy infrastructure needs to be replaced soon. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to support major investment in renewables, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, slashing carbon emissions, and stabilising energy bills. Renewable technology is already powering thousands of homes across the UK, and enjoys overwhelming
public support, as demonstrated by a recent poll:http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/23/wind-shale-gas-icm-poll
.
Furthermore, it's a myth that gas is a cheap fuel. Gas is expensive, and the only way is up. Last week EDF hiked its energy prices by 10.8%, the highest rise of any of the big energy companies so far this winter. These price rises were triggered by the rising cost of gas. In fact, out of the £150 that average household energy bills rose last year, £100 of that was due to rocketing gas prices. Gas is already pushing those who live the most precarious lives deeper into fuel poverty, whilst the Big Six line their pockets. This has to change.
By occupying the site and halting construction we hope to stop this dash for gas and expose the madness of a Government that is totally in the thrall of the big energy companies. There is a massive democratic deficit when it comes to making energy policy in the UK. This is why we've decided to take direct action.
History shows us that direct action has played a decisive role in some of greatest struggles for social change – from the suffragettes, to civil rights, to the struggle against apartheid. The dash for gas makes no sense for anyone except the big energy companies. We need a cleaner, more resilient and economically just energy system - and we're here to fight for it. This is the new battleground for our energy future.
Please see www.nodashforgas.org.uk
for the facts and figures backing up the case against the dash for gas.
Ali Garrigan