ACTIVISTS TAKE TO THE MERRIMACK RIVER, SHUT DOWN COAL PLANT WITH ARTWORK AND GARDENS
Image of a group of kayaks and canoes floating on a calm river in front of a large coal plant with billowing clouds of smoke coming out of the smoke stack.
Bow, NH-- New England activists shut down the Merrimack Generating Station on July 21st. Twelve people in kayaks and canoes descended on the Merrimack River, where the Merrimack Generating Station pollutes the air and water. A group of activists with No Coal No Gas planted gardens and art within the station itself, resulting in a shut down of the coal plant starting around noon. As of 4pm, there was no coal on the New England Grid.
"We are here to create the world as it should be: one full of life and free of fossil fuels. The Merrimack Generating Station, at full capacity, produces the same amount of carbon in just one hour as the average American over the course of 26 years." said Julie Macuga (she/her), No Coal No Gas activist. "Of course the industry is going to be upset that we're shining a light on the fact they're still burning coal in 2021. TToday the plant owners contributed in the criminalization of dissent by calling the cops on nonviolent paddlers.”
The Merrimack Generating Station, which is owned by Granite Shore Power, has received advance payments--over 12 million in subsidies which come from New England ratepayers--to run through at least the summer of 2025.
“This coal plant pollutes the air and water in and around Bow. People living downwind of coal plants experience higher rates of asthma and cancer. It is morally unacceptable to keep burning coal while people suffer - particularly when fires, floods, and other fossil fuel-induced climate disasters are taking hundreds of lives across the world,” said Jennifer Dube (she/her), Climate Organizer with 350NH Action.
"We are here to call attention to the fact that people in this plant are creating an unsafe situation for the community and the world. This plant needs to close now," said Leif Taranta, No Coal No Gas organizer (they/them). “While those people in power fail to do what must be done, we are ready to shut this plant down ourselves.”
The No Coal No Gas campaign is part of an ongoing effort to secure a shut down date for Merrimack Generating Station. To learn more, go to nocoalnogas.org.