Blockade at docks over biomass proposals
Seven people were arrested after environmental campaigners blockaded Grangemouth docks in protest against controversial plans to build biomass generators at four Scottish locations, including sites in Dundee and Rosyth.
- By Stefan Morkis
- Published in the Courier : 17.05.11
- Published online : 17.05.11 @ 08.29am
Around 20 demonstrators from Action Against Agrofuels blocked both access roads into Scotland's largest container port shortly before 8am on Monday to protest against the proposals, which they say will harm the environment.
Forth Ports, which runs Grangemouth docks and is working with Scottish & Southern Energy to build the biomass generators, said the protest was the action of a "fringe minority."
Several protesters blocked the Central Road entrance to the port by building a tripod from scaffolding in the middle of the road, while others used arm locks to prevent vehicles using the South Shore Road entry.
One protester perched at the top of the tripod for the full duration of yesterday's demonstration.
Central Scotland Police arrested four of the South Road protesters for causing an obstruction early yesterday afternoon. The road was reopened at 1.25pm.
Three protesters at Central Dock road were arrested for the same offence later, and the demonstration came to an end at about 3.30pm.
All seven arrested are expected to appear at Falkirk Sheriff Court today.
Falkirk area commander Superintendent Robbie McGregor said, "Our intention was to facilitate a peaceful protest. However the public need to be able to go about their lawful business.
"We have been in negotiations with the protesters all day and they have refused to move. They have blocked roads and disrupted businesses."
Action Against Agrofuels claims that plans to build four biomass burners will have a devastating impact on the environment, although the company behind the plans has maintained all fuel for the burners will be sustainably sourced and a by-product of the timber industry.
Burners
Forth Energy — a company formed by Forth Ports and Scottish & Southern Energy working in partnership — wants to build burners at docks in Dundee, Rosyth, Grangemouth and Leith.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency has said although it has no objection to the Dundee development in principle, it will not grant a licence to the plant unless action is taken to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels in the Dock Street area, which are already well over the legal limit.
Thousands of people lodged objections to the Dundee proposal with the Energy Consents Unit, and the Scottish Government will have the final say on whether the biomass plants can be built.
Protester Maryla Hart said yesterday, "Far from being renewable energy, these burners will be environmentally devastating.
"Between the four power stations they would use two-thirds of the wood produced in the UK annually. This would mean fuel has to be imported from abroad and could lead to the destruction of the remaining rainforests."
Kimberley Ellis, from Dundee, added, "We're putting our bodies in the way today because the government seems to be ignoring over-riding concerns of deforestation, human rights abuses and accelerated climate change associated with the biomass stations."
The protesters said nearly 1000 locals in Grangemouth have objected to the plans for a biomass plant at the site.
Forth Energy managing director Calum Wilson has claimed the biomass generator will be a £320m investment in Dundee that would be worth £26m to the local economy each year.
It would create 300 to 500 jobs during the construction phase, 40 permanent posts thereafter and 30 jobs in the port.
It has also been claimed it could help Dundee attract other renewable energy companies to the city.
"Today's action at the port of Grangemouth clearly consisted of people from outside the local area who have formed themselves into a minority fringe group," he said yesterday.
"The proposed renewable energy plant at Grangemouth will use sustainably sourced fuel, produce low carbon electricity and heat and is safe.
"This plant will produce 84% less carbon than current average electricity generation from the national grid."
03.35pm - 17.05.2011 Robert Palgrave - Woking, United Kingdom Report This
At least the Committee on Climate Change has seen through big biomass. It said in its recent report on renewable energy: “Given sustainability concerns and demands from other sectors we assume no new investment in biomass in the power sector beyond 2020."
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