#AxeDrax – Climate campaigners denounce government’s approval of UK’s biggest ever gas power project

The 4th October decision by the Secretary of State for  Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to allow Drax Plc’s planning application for the UK’s largest ever gas-fired power capacity will lock the UK into dirty energy production for at least another two decades, climate campaigners have said.

Government overruled Planning Inspector’s recommendation to refuse the gas plant

The Secretary Of State overruled the Planning Inspector’s recommendation to refuse the plant, with the bizarre claim that the new gas plant didn’t contradict the “move towards net zero carbon”.

The Planning Inspector’s recommendation agreed with key objections made to Drax’s planning appliction, and with the arguments Biofuelwatch and others including ClientEarth put forward.

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23rd Jan Halifax Affordable Warmth drop in – advice on heating and insulation schemes and cheaper energy suppliers

On Wednesday 23 January at Better Lives, 42 Market Street in Halifax town centre (opposite Tesco Metro), between 10am and 12.30pm, Calderdale Council and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau are holding an “affordable warmth” drop-in event.

This is so people can see what they could save on their heating bills and find out more about Better Homes Yorkshire “affordable warmth” heating and insulation schemes for residents on low incomes who own or privately rent their own homes.

Calderdale Council and Better Homes Yorkshire are offering 500 households fully funded insulation for attic bedrooms and lofts.  Typically, the homes that will be treated are stone-built, terraced properties. Continue reading

Frack Free Calderdale tell Yorkshire Water fracking risks to water are unacceptable

On 27th October,  Frack Free Calderdale folk gathered in St George’s Square, Hebden Bridge, to tell Yorkshire Water that fracking waste water is dangerous, and they are unhappy with the prospect of fracking waste water being treated at Yorkshire Water’s Knostrop Waste Water Treatment Works in Leeds.

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Barclays to stop financing the #Ryedale fracking company, Third Energy

Sometimes we win battles!

Frack Free Calderdale is pleased that last week at their Annual General Meeting, Barclays’ Chairman John McFarlane told their shareholders that the bank would be withdrawing their financing of Third Energy – the company they own 97% of and that is licensed to frack in Ryedale, North Yorkshire. This could be a huge win for the anti-fracking and climate justice movement in the UK and one we should celebrate! Continue reading

Todmorden Weir Minerals to ask Weir Head Office about fossil fuel divestment plans

going into Weir_loresFollowing an unannounced visit by Climate Crime Unit Investigators on April 6th, the managing director of Weir Minerals in Todmorden has agreed to ask Weir Head Office whether the company warns shareholders of the risk attached to the Weir’s substantial investments in the fossil fuel industry, and if they have any plans for divesting from fossil fuels. Continue reading

Boycott Barclays, say Frackfree Planet campaigners

“Get Your Fracking Hands Off Ryedale” was the message from the Frackfree Planet picket outside the Hebden Bridge branch of Barclays Bank on Wednesday 22nd February.

Calderdale members of Frackfree Planet handed out leaflets to Barclays Bank customers and passers by, to alert them to Barclays’ ownership of Third Energy, the company that plans to frack at Kirkby Misperton In North Yorkshire. Continue reading

Preston New Road Rolling Roadside Protest – Keep Lancashire Frack Free

Today, 19th January, is the 12th day of the daily rolling roadside protest at the Preston New Road fracking site,  organised by the local residents’ Preston New Road Action Group .

Preston New Road

Preston New Road is not  like other fracking sites which can be closed completely during deliveries. It is in a residential area on the busy A583 which is part of Lancashire’s strategic road network that is used by the North West Ambulance Service in reaching “blue light” emergencies.

The Ambulances are targeted to attend 75 per cent of Category A Red 1 calls (the most time-critical, where patients are not breathing or don’t have a pulse) within 8 minutes. Even a 15-minute closure of this major local trunk road could make the difference between life and death. Continue reading