Forth Energy pulls Leith biomass application

Commenting on the news today (9 February) that Forth Energy has decided to withdraw its application for a large-scale biomass power plant in Leith, Stan Blackley, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:

“It is great news that Forth Energy has come to its senses regarding its Leith biomass plan and pulled the plug on it, and not before time too!

“This is a huge success for Friends of the Earth Scotland’s ‘Back Away From Big Biomass’ campaign, and for all the local campaign groups and activists who have been involved in opposing the plans, including the hard work of ‘No to Leith Biomass’ and ‘Greener Leith’.

“Forth Energy’s plans for creating only electricity from large-scale biomass is not only highly inefficient and in breach of EU standards, but also threatens local air quality and international deforestation, human rights abuses and biodiversity.

“The threat of big biomass plants in Dundee, Rosyth, and Grangemouth remains, and we will continue to challenge these applications.”

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact: Per Fischer, Press Office, Friends of the Earth Scotland
 t: 0131 243 2719

Notes to Editors

1. Forth Energy Withdraws Current Renewable Energy Plant Application for the Port of Leith (Press release)
www.forthenergy.co.uk/assets/media-release-20120209.pdf

2. Friends of the Earth Scotland is * Scotland’s leading environmental campaigning organisation * An independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across Scotland * Part of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 77 national member groups, and some 5,000 local activist groups – covering every continent. www.foe-scotland.org.uk