UK coal power plant approved

Medway Council in Kent, southeast England, approved the £1 billion Kingsnorth plant proposed by the German-owned firm Eon.

The company argued that Britain needs a wide range of power sources to meet future demand at a time of falling North Sea oil and gas production

But environmentalists were dismayed. "Kingsnorth power station will undermine the government’s commitment to meet European targets for producing 20% of energy from renewables by 2020," said Friends of the Earth energy campaigner, Robin Webster.

"If it is serious about tackling climate change the government must throw out this proposal and promote investment in clean and green alternatives."

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By Bruno D Rodrigues