Merrimack Generating Station was burning coal Wednesday morning when twelve people in kayaks and canoes appeared out of the mist on the Merrimack River, where the coal plant pollutes the air and water. In the early morning light, No Coal No Gas activists installed art displays and gardens across the plant—demonstrating the possibilities of a better world amidst the noise, dust, and smoke of running machines.
"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).
Workers and police seemed bewildered by what they found, as well as by our rally on the river. At 12pm, the plant began to shut down, and as of 4pm, there was no coal on the New England Grid. Police detained two activists.
"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. Today the plant owners contributed to the criminalization of dissent by calling the police on nonviolent paddlers,” Julie said. “This is our home,” she added. “It is really our responsibility to shut this thing down so that we can continue to live on this planet.”
The Merrimack Generating Station, which is owned by Granite Shore Power, recently received another year of advance payments—over $12 million in subsidies which come from New England ratepayers—to be on stand-by, almost never generating electricity, through at least the summer of 2025.
“I could not believe the plant was running on this beautiful 70 degree New Hampshire morning,” said Jennifer Dube (she/her), Climate Organizer with 350NH Action. “We left behind a ‘closed’ sign hanging high on the plant and some nice potted plants—because it's time for the plant to shut down and build us a better future. 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.”
The plant shut down after our action, and now, we have to make sure it stays that way. Just like the team that carried coal from the plant bucket by bucket two years ago, we went to Bow on Wednesday to signal our determination to shut this plant down for good. Coal isn’t gone for good on the New England grid yet—but it will be soon. We aren’t waiting around for permission to build the world as it should be.
"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 (they/them), No Coal No Gas organizer. “While those people in power fail to do what must be done, we are ready to shut this plant down ourselves.”
There was so much joy in canoeing up and down the river, living into all three of our campaign goals: building community, demonstrating what’s possible, and shutting this plant down. We’ll be heading back to Merrimack Station soon, and we hope you’ll join us. The No Coal No Gas campaign is planning a multi-day, mass action with plenty of ways to engage and take action, including art, music, teach-ins, and more. It will be located in New Hampshire on October 1-3. As the date draws closer, we will share more details. All are welcome, and we hope you’ll be able to participate. Register here and stay tuned for more information as plans solidify! Please spread the word by responding to our Facebook event!
It's past time to stop burning coal and we won't stop until the coal plant closes for good. Together, we will end the use of coal in New England and keep building a better world.
