Banner rally against biomass in Shropshire27 March 2012
Friends of the Earth local groups are opposing plans for a Shropshire power station to burn imported wood.
Plans by owners of Ironbridge power station E.On call for a storage building for imported wood. The wood could replace Russian coal as a fuel in the power station.
The Shrewsbury and Telford groups, with Biofuelwatch, have objected to the proposal. They're calling on local friends and allies to join a peaceful banner protest early on Thursday 5 April.
That's the day Shropshire Council's Planning Committee will meet to consider the plans, from 10am. Protesters will gather with banners from 9am at the council offices at Shire Hall in Shrewsbury.
Why the concern?
Burning imported wood in Ironbridge is a false solution to local energy needs.
We believe
- Power stations shouldn't burn imported wood.
- Biomass use should be limited to the amount that can be sourced sustainably in the UK, without putting further pressure on forests.
Studies have shown the net effect on the climate from felling and burning trees can be even worse than from burning coal.
Switching to clean homegrown power from the UK's wind, sun, waves and tides is the only way to guarantee energy we can all afford.
Please see our briefing Energy from Biomass: Straw Man or Future Fuel?
We estimate E.On will need some 2 million tonnes of imported wood a year - initially from the US. Environmental groups there are fighting a rapidly expanding biofuel industry where so-called sustainable production results in clear-felling of virgin forest.
Frank Oldaker, Shrewsbury Friends of the Earth
Take further action
The Telford and Shrewsbury groups are promoting a petition against E.On's plans run by Biofuelwatch
Get involved locally
Why not get involved in your neighbourhood? Find your nearest Friends of the Earth group.
