> Home

Friends of the Earth claims report proves case for renewable energy

The environmental pressure group believes Scotland could phase out all conventional thermal power by 2030, maintain a secure electricity supply and generate revenue from renewable exports. This is according to new research by energy consultants Garrad Hassan.

CO₂ doesn't always stay captured

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is controversial for a number of reasons. It's expensive, unproven, and according to researchers at Duke University, there's the troubling possibility that captured carbon could leak into groundwater aquifers, potentially rendering water undrinkable.
The problem with CCS
Environmental Issues page.
Carbon Capture and Storage

The Rainbow
Anti-Coalition

• Christian Aid
• Church of Scotland
• Conch
• Friends of the Earth
• Greenpeace
• RSPB-Scotland
• Scottish Wildlife Trust
• World Development Movement-Scotland
• WWF-Scotland
  
  

Down With Coal

In the United States and Europe, the triple whammy of recession, cheap alternatives, and aggressive anti-coal campaigning has helped halt the expansion of coal use. Since 2004, plans to build more than 150 coal plants in the U.S. have been abandoned. In fact, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), a government agency that analyzes energy-related statistics, predicts continued stagnation or decline in coal-fired electricity generation in the U.S. and the European Union over the coming decades.

The grassroots anti-coal movement goes global

Scottish Enterprise report: CONCH criticism

"CONCH believe that a Governent report claiming that more than 5,000 jobs could be created by storing carbon dioxide deep below the sea at three Scottish coastal sites (including Hunterston) is deeply flawed. It fails to properly consider the huge adverse impact of a coal power station with carbon capture would have on local business, tourism, public health and the environment.
It also does not address the real safety concerns of experimenting with unproven technology next to an existing nuclear power station. The report is neither independent or objective and should not in any way dissuade Scottish Ministers from rejecting outright Ayrshire Power's plans."

Communities Opposed to New Coal at Hunterston

New safety fears for Ayrshire nuclear power station

The company that runs the nuclear reactors at Hunterston in North Ayrshire is warning that their safety could be jeopardised by plans to build a huge coal-fired power station next door.

North Ayrshire Council Say NO

At a meeting, lasting less than 90 minutes, North Ayrshire Councillors voted unanimously to object to Ayrshire Power's plans for a dirty coal-station at Hunterston. Citing concerns over health, environment and climate change, the councillors were also critical of major gaps in information provided by Ayrshire Power and their failure to have credible plans to capture 100% of carbon emissions from the outset. The council also highlighted the need for an independent health impact assessment; emphasised that a public inquiry was needed, given the high level of objections and also disputed that the plans were compatible with the Scottish Government's National Planning Framework.

Objectors spell out the message: "21,000 say no to new coal"

CONCH are very pleased that the Council has taken note of the concerns of the 21,000 people who have objected and taken on board many of the issues we raised during the evidence we gave to them earlier this month. We would also like to thank our many supporters who have taken time to write to the council as well as the support from environmental groups across Scotland in campaigning against these plans.

North Ayshire Councillors perpare for the start of the meeting

North Ayrshire Council's decision gives a very strong signal to the Scottish Government as to how seriously flawed and unpopular Ayrshire Power's plans are. We now want the Scottish Government to show similar leadership and also say no to dirty coal. It is now likely that the plans will go to a public inquiry, but CONCH will continue to campaign for an outright rejection from Scottish Ministers when they come to decide the application over the coming months.

Delighted protesters applaud North Ayrshire Council's unanimous decison to reject
Ayrshire Power's proposal to build a coal-fired power station at Hunterston.

We'll be arranging a pre Xmas CONCH drinks night to celebrate this significant boost to our campaign and get back to you once a date is confirmed.

North Ayrshire Council Urges Refusal of the Hunterston Coal-fired Power Station Proposal

Constituency Cunninghame North

That the Parliament welcomes the unanimous decision of North Ayrshire Council to recommend to the Scottish Ministers that the application to build a coal-fired power station be refused; understands that councillors expressed grave concerns over the adverse health, environmental and economic impacts of what it consider this unwanted and unnecessary proposal and considers that the applicant failed to prove that it had the technological ability to produce energy from clean coal in any sizeable quantity at Hunterston; is aware that some 21,000 objections to the proposal have now been lodged, and believes that the applicant, Ayrshire Power Limited, should now withdraw its application completely and, if not, the application should be rejected when it comes before the Scottish Ministers.

"Only an idiot would trust a company that could not even get its proposal papers right to go on to carry out the actual operation. In large as in small.
Management and operational carelessness – or pragmatism -  in an exercise of this kind could result in the pollution of the Clyde waterway, one of the most extensive and important waterway systems in the UK.
The company concerned, Ayrshire Power, has no track record. It has been born out of opportunism – seizing on the government’s wish to guarantee Scotland’s energy into the future by using technologies that are as green as possible. This company is a subsidiary of Peel Energy, part of the Peel Group, owned by the tax avoiding privateer and Isle of Man resident, John Whittaker."

CONTROVERSIAL plans for Scotland’s first new fossil fuel power station for four decades - the most unpopular application in the country’s history - have been thrown out by a council.
Councillors yesterday objected to the new coal-fired plant at Hunterston, Ayrshire, putting the decision whether to approve the scheme in the hands of the Scottish Alex Salmond’s g Government.
The proposal by Ayrshire Power attracted a record 21,000 objections before it was turned down by North Ayrshire Council, making it the most unpopular planning application ever in Scotland.

Controversial proposals for a new coal-fired power station at Hunterston have been rejected by the local council. The decision has been welcomed by environmental campaigners who are now calling on the scheme's backers, Ayrshire Power, to abandon the plans.
The firm has insisted it will fight on. More than 20,000 objections had been lodged with North Ayrshire Council.

There will now be a public inquiry before a final decision is made by the Scottish government.

Council leader David O'Neill said: "North Ayrshire is in urgent need of new jobs - but not at any cost.
"We have the highest unemployment rate in Scotland and appreciate that a new power station at Hunterston would create new jobs.
However, we cannot ignore the adverse impact this development could have on the area.
Councillors at today's meeting recognised the strength of public feeling on the plans and expressed concern that the facility would not capture 100% of carbon emissions from day one.
They also highlighted the lack of sufficient information on the impact on human health and the effects the development would have on the local environment."

CONTROVERSIAL proposals to build a coal-fired power station at the Hunterston complex in North Ayrshire will now have to be decided by a public inquiry.

Councillors today turned down an application which had drawn over 20,000 objections, making it the most opposed planning application in Scottish history.

But because the would-be developer, Ayrshire Power, has already indicated it plans to press ahead, the matter will now go to the Scottish Government.

Clean coal costs set to scupper Hunterston power station plan Professor Jon Gibbins, a professor of power plant engineering and carbon capture at Edinburgh University, said that new regulations for coal plants would make it unecomomic for Ayrshire Power’s proposal to go ahead. He believed the controversial plan would be brought down by the same commercial logic that has seen E.ON withdraw its plan for a coal-fired station at Kingsnorth in Kent and seen several other English proposals redrawn towards using gas. Emissions standards tilt economics towards gas generation Jpeg of article

For older news, see our news archive page.

Scotland is reducing its energy consumption at a faster rate than it is increasing its power generation

Roseanna Cunningham

No need for another coal-fired power station

Courier: 07.10.11

We are extremely disappointed that the Court of Session has dismissed the legal challenge against the Scottish Government's inclusion of the proposed new coal-fired power station at Hunterston in the National Planning Framework.
This decision goes to show how profoundly undemocratic the planning and legal systems can be, and how incredibly difficult it is for the ordinary individual or other parties to access the courts or challenge poor decision-making or process.

However, this does not mean that Peel Energy's plan for Hunterston will now go ahead. It could, and should, still be refused.

The fact that there have been around 20,000 objections, and that the Scottish Parliament has voted against it, shows just how unwanted it is.

Scotland does not need new, polluting coal-fired power stations. Authoritative research from GL Garrad Hassan, one of the world's leading energy consultants, has shown that improved energy efficiency and demand reduction measures, coupled with increased use of Scotland's wealth of renewable energy sources, will be more than adequate to meet Scotland's future electricity requirements.
Stan Blackley.
Chief Executive,
Friends of the Earth Scotland.

Judge upholds NPF's inclusion of Hunterston

CONCH are extremely disappointed by the outcome of judicial review, but believe it is a set-back rather than a fatal blow to those campaigning against the plans for a dirty coal-station at Hunterston.

We are urging the Government to revisit Hunterston’s inclusion within the National Planning Framework in light of their own renewable energy targets and growing evidence that there isn’t an impending energy gap in Scotland. A dirty coal station is not compatible with the SNP’s commitment to tackle climate change and to promote renewable energy.

We are calling on the Scottish Government to listen to the 20,000 people who have objected to Ayrshire Powers plans and reject outright Ayrshire Power's plans. If allowed, the proposed power station would have a devastating impact on our health, environment and economy.

Death of Democracy

"Lord Brailsford is to be congratulated on his judgement against Mr McGinty by which he confirms the death of democracy in Scotland and, in doing so, has ended the right of the individual objection. ..."
Prof Tony Meehan. 12th October, 2011

Hunterston decision "not democratic"

Power station decision faces delay as opponents take fight to appeal court

The opponents of proposals to build a £3 billion coal-fired power station at Hunterston in Ayrshire have lodged an appeal in their judicial review battle, putting pressure on the Scottish Government to delay its planning decision.

UK carbon capture power station plans suffer further setbacks