FOSSIL FOOLS DAY OF ACTION

http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/562845.html

Posted on Wed, Apr. 02, 2008
PART OF `FOSSIL FOOLS DAY OF ACTION’

Duke protesters arrested at plant

Activists chained themselves to machines at Cliffside Steam site BRUCE HENDERSON bhenderson@charlotteobserver.com

Eight protesters were arrested Tuesday morning after critics of Duke Energy chained themselves to construction equipment at the Cliffside Steam Station.

Duke is adding an 800-megawatt boiler to the Rutherford County plant, which has drawn intense opposition from environmental advocates.

The protest was part of what the international Rising Tide network calls the “Fossil Fools Day of Action,” which blames coal-fired power plants’ carbon dioxide emissions for global warming.

Four protesters chained themselves to construction equipment at Cliffside at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, said Abigail Singer of Rising Tide in Asheville. Critics have faulted Duke for advocating reduced carbon emissions while expanding the plant.

“We wanted to call out the hypocrisy of that,” Singer said.

Deputies stunned protesters with Tasers, but without firing probes, Rutherford County Sheriff Jack Conner said, to force the protesters to unlock themselves. Four other people also were arrested at the scene.

All eight were charged with trespassing, and four with resisting arrest.

Those charged: Attila Nemecz, Raleigh; Clare Marie Rappleyea, Asheville; Brittany Lusworte, Asheville; Joseph Monteleone, Holly Springs; David Elliston, Asheville; Matthew Wallace, Hot Springs; Samuel Webb, Apex; and Christine Irvine of Nashville, Tenn.

Duke Energy Field Services near Palestine, Texas. Duke businesses include refineries and oil wells throughout the region. Photo Credit Nimur via Wikipedia (GNU License)

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Submitted by:

Dave Cooper
The Mountaintop Removal Road Show
http://www.mountainroadshow.com/

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