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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Connal Hughes, FoES

Press Office t: 0131 243 2715

e: chughes@foe-scotland.org.uk

Cockenzie Power Station Demolition

Commenting on the demolition of the chimneys and turbine hall at Cockenzie power station taking place at noon on Saturday 27th Sep 2015, Dr Richard Dixon, Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:

"The demolition of the iconic Cockenzie chimneys will dramatically change the Lothians landscape and signals the imminent end for coal in Scotland. For those who've worked at the plant it may well be an emotional day but as a country it shows the positive steps we've taken in the fight against climate change and for clean energy."

WASHINGTON

Commenting on the demolition of the chimneys and turbine hall at Cockenzie power station taking place at noon on Saturday 27th Sep 2015, Dr Richard Dixon, Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:

"The demolition of the iconic Cockenzie chimneys will dramatically change the Lothians landscape and signals the imminent end for coal in Scotland. For those who've worked at the plant it may well be an emotional day but as a country it shows the positive steps we've taken in the fight against climate change and for clean energy."

Scotland's last coal-fired power station, at Longannet in Fife, will close in March next year. Scotland is aiming to make 100% of our electricity needs from renewables by 2020, up from about 10% in 2000.

Dr Dixon continued:

"Scotland has undergone a renewable energy revolution in the past 15 years and the demolition of Cockenzie perfectly illustrates that change. Our electricity system is in transition from one dependent on dirty, polluting coal to clean, reliable renewables.

"The Scottish Government has been a keen supporter of renewable energy but they should commit to leaving new sources of fossil fuels in the ground by banning fracking and underground coal gasification."

Friends of the Earth fights for a more healthy and just world. Together we speak truth to power and expose those who endanger the health of people and the planet for corporate profit. We organize to build long-term political power and campaign to change the rules of our economic and political systems that create injustice and destroy nature.

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