Hartlepool nuclear power station blockaded by activists

Climate change activists blockade Hartlepool nuclear power station
For immediate release: August 22nd 2006

from Reclaim Power:  http://www.reclaimpower.org.uk
Email:  reclaimpower101@yahoo.co.uk
On-site mobile: 07856 551479
Stills/footage: 07984 128905


Early this morning, activists from climate change pressure group Reclaim
Power (1) blocked the main entrance of Hartlepool nuclear power station,
Teesside (2). Using locks and other equipment six activists successfully
closed the main entrance and unfurled a large banner with the words 'No
More', in response to government and nuclear industry plans to build a new
generation of nuclear power stations (3).

Darren Lockefrom Reclaim Power said, 'Nuclear power is not a solution to
climate change. Whilst it may be true that nuclear power results in fewer
greenhouse gas emissions than burning fossil fuels, nuclear power produces
deadly waste which remains radioactive for thousands of years. We have no
way to get rid of it. The nuclear industry has had almost 50 years to find
a solution to the nuclear waste problem and has failed to do so.'

'The government says that our only option is to accept nuclear power with
all its health and environmental problems,' continued Darren. But we do
have another option: to reduce our energy consumption, and to get the
power we do need from clean, safe renewable sources like wind and solar.'

This action is part of a series of actions by Reclaim Power highlighting
our reliance on fossil fuels and the need to replace them with clean, safe
renewable energy sources (4).

-ENDS-

Contact Reclaim Power activists on site on 07856 551480 or 07856 551479
Stills/footage: 07984 128905

NOTES:
1.This action was carried out by autonomous activists in support of
climate campaign group Reclaim Power  http://www.reclaimpower.org.uk
2.Hartlepool nuclear power station (owned by British Energy) is due for
decommissioning in 2014, but it's likely that the site will be proposed as
a site for building a new nuclear power station. According to the nuclear
lobby the most viable sites for new nuclear power stations are likely to
be adjacent to existing nuclear power plants (see the Government's Energy
Review 2006 for more details  http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file32007.pdf)
3.See the Energy Review 2006. British Energy is likely to be part of any
consortium building and running the new generation of nuclear power
stations.
4.Reclaim Power is calling for mass direct action at Drax power station in
North Yorkshire on 31st August 2006. Drax is the largest single emitter of
greenhouse gases in the UK. Reclaim Power is part of the Camp for Climate
Action (26th August-4th September 2006), creating grassroots solutions to
climate change through ten days of actions, education, networking and
skill-sharing. For more information see  http://www.climatecamp.org.uk