Environmental Groups Fight Coal Plant Bid

PLANS to build a pounds 2bn power station in Northumberland as part of a new "green" generation of coal-fired electricity plants have been condemned by environmental groups.

Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth say Government approval for the proposed clean-coal plants – including one on the site of the old Blyth Power Station – would fly in the face of Gordon Brown’s pledge to lead Britain’s fight against climate change.

RWE npower is carrying out extensive consultations on its plans to build the 200-job plant in Cambois, which it claims would have 22% less emissions than the old coal-fired station demolished four years ago.

Now environmental groups have made clear their strong opposition to the project, after a bid to build the UK’s first new coal-fired power station in more than 20 years was supported by councillors in Kent.

Greenpeace has warned that if Mr Brown gives the green light for the Kent scheme, it would lock Britain into huge carbon emissions for decades.

Executive director John Sauven said the same concerns surrounded the plan for a coalfired plant in Northumberland, adding: "The Government must not be taken in by the myth of clean-coal technology. Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel on the planet."

Robin Webster for Friends of the Earth said: "If it is serious about tackling climate change, the Government must throw out this proposal and invest in greener alternatives."

RWE npower could submit a formal application for the Cambois plant to the Secretary of State in a year’s time, with a view to power generation starting there by 2014.

It says the station would be capable of powering 3.5million homes and would create 2,000 construction and 200 permanent jobs.

A spokeswoman said: "One-third of this country’s power is generated from coal; these new clean-coal plants are far cleaner than coal plants of yesteryear."

(c) 2008 The Journal – Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.