9th August 2008



This morning, climate camp activists took part in the Climate Camp Day of Action by scaling high voltage transmission pylons carrying electricity from the power station. As some activists began to scale the pylons, others made phone calls to the relevant bodies. They have now ascended past barbed-wire anti-climb devices and have hung a banner reading ‘Shut down Kingsnorth’.



Jo, one of the climbers, said: “We weighed up the risks and researched this carefully before deciding on this peaceful action to shut down Kingsnorth today. The threat posed to our climate change targets by the Government’s proposed new generation of coal-fired power stations is so great that we are prepared to do this occupation to ensure Kingsnorth is shut for the day. Climate change, driven by carbon dinosaurs such as Kingsnorth, already kills 160,000 people a year, according to the World Health Organisation. It is utter madness to build new coal-burning plants when we need urgent and deep cuts in our carbon emissions”.



The protestors are set to remain for the rest of the day as other protests against Kingsnorth and E.ON coal expansion plans gather pace.



The protestors are from this year’s ‘Camp for climate action’ at Kingsnorth in Kent . The week-long camp has been holding workshops on climate change and show-casing practical low – or zero – carbon alternatives. At the same time, it has been building up to today: a day of action to shut down Kingsnorth.



E.ON, the German-owned energy company, plans to build the first of a new series of coal-burning plants in the UK . The company argues the plant will be ‘carbon capture ready’, But the overwhelming majority of experts agree the technology won’t be technically or economically viable for at least a decade, if ever. Should the technology not be proven as a viable option, there is currently no obligation on the utility to fit carbon capture technology at all. In other words, there’s a very strong chance we could end up with a standard coal plant belching out millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide for half a century to come.



The pylons are sited on the Hoo peninsular at post code DA12 3HU which can be reached by road and which has parking. OS grid reference is TQ 694 737



Jo, one of those occupying the pylons, can be reached on 07879283517

Another climate camp spokesperson at the scene: Richard 07956163272

Available for media interviews:James 07964618657

Photos available at AP and other outlets

The climbers have come down and are currently being 'talked to' by police. It is not yet clear whether they will be arrested or not.

3 people, including the two climbers, were arrested around lunchtime under a section of PACE as the police were unable to verify their addresses (yeh, right). 4 hours later and the police have yet to confirm which police station they have been taken to.

This was one of the actions that have led to 1261 news articles generated by today's actions, so far. Amazing, huge respect.