Local campaigners have been urged to take action NOW to prevent even more UK subsidies being awarded to our country's two biggest carbon emitters: Drax and Lynemouth biomass power plants.
Contact your local MP to make clear why we must stop huge UK subsidies to burn trees - it only takes minutes, using this e-message link to a Stop Burning Trees pledge. It's been created by SBT, Biofuelwatch and Cut Carbon Not Forests.
Protest on 5 March 12 noon in London: please spread the word to people who may be able to attend. It is outside the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero (3-8 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2EG). Climate Action Newcastle will be speaking at the protest. Info here.
CAN has also taken part in the Government consultation on transitional support underway until 29 Feb 2024 - link here. Biofuelwatch has been covering this, so keep an eye on the http://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk homepage. And if you would like any other advice, please email biofuelwatch@gmail.com. There's more info below on how we can seek to influence this Government - and the next.
The call comes as the Government has announced new multi-million pound subsidies for the development of carbon capture schemes proposed by Drax - even though the technology and the scale of any emission reduction is not yet proven (Biofuelwatch report here; The Guardian report here; Private Eye report January 2024). This was underlined by the National Audit Office report on 24 January (coverage here).
Lynemouth power plant - the "Drax on our doorstep" - has also carried out feasibility studies into carbon capture and storage. Its owners have been ordered by the energy regulator to repay £23m for violating market rules at another of its UK plants: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/oct/13/daniel-kretinsky-owned-power-plant-must-pay-23m-for-charging-excessive-payments. Ofgem also took action against Drax, which resulted in a payment of £6.12m.
Climate Action Newcastle's in-depth background report spells out how Lynemouth's biomass burning is causing deforestation across North America. Wood pellets are being shipped in record quantities through Port of Tyne, to produce the second highest levels of carbon emissions in the UK (only Drax is higher). Now it's feared that its owners, EPH, is seeking even more subsidies, to take part in the BECCS carbon capture scheme.
YOU CAN HELP STOP THIS HARMFUL WASTE OF UK SUBSIDIES Please demand that our Government - and whoever is in power after the next General Election - invests in real green energy and green jobs, not corporate money grab scams!
Please write to your MP (and let us know the response!):
Ask them to support no more subsidies for burning wood in power stations, such at Lynemouth
Make sure they are aware of the devastating results of our UK biomass subsidies for deforestation and carbon emissions
Ask them to sign the Stop Burning Trees pledge, using this helpful e-message support: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/ask-your-mp-to-sign-the-stop-burning-trees-pledge
Email climatenewcastle@gmail.com with your campaigning news, the responses from MPs and any other updates.
If you prefer to phone your MP - that's good too! You can find your MP’s phone number on the parliament directory of MPs or on their website/social media.
Draft script:
Action taker: Hello can I speak to [your MP's name]?
Representative: (Likely to say no)
Action taker: Okay I understand
Action taker: Will you pass on my message? I’m urging [your MP] to prevent Lynemouth power plant from being given new subsidies for BECCS. It knows its technology doesn’t work, and they are using this as an excuse to keep receiving subsidies for burning trees. Green subsidies going to Lynemouth need to be redirected to real climate action, such as insulating homes. With record temperatures and devastating climate catastrophes around the world, it’s vital for the UK and other international policymakers to promote genuinely green and clear energy, rather than unproven technology which locks in polluting tree burning at scale.
Use our social media: ask our supporters to contact their MPs and spread the word.