Church official expresses 'disbelief' at coal fired power station plans

A senior Church of Scotland official has voiced his disbelief at plans for a new coal fired power station in Scotland.

The Rev Ian Galloway, convener of the Kirk’s Church and Society Council, said he was “shocked” to see proposals by Peel Energy and DONG Energy relying on fossil fuels for the facility at Hunterston in North Ayrshire.

Mr Galloway said he felt that a government go-ahead on the proposals would make a mockery of its pledge to fight climate change.

“The Church of Scotland strongly supports the Scottish Government’s plan to cut the emission of greenhouse gases in Scotland by 80 per cent by 2050," he said.

“However the proposed power station could increase the country’s emission of carbon dioxide by 10 per cent.

“This would make the Scottish Government target difficult if not impossible to achieve.”

He pointed out that the Church had long been taking the issue seriously.

“Climate change is an ethical issue for the Church of Scotland. We see the damage being caused elsewhere in the world and the resulting poverty," he said.

Rev Galloway pointed to the hundreds of 'Eco-Congregations' across Scotland, churches which are taking the lead on adapting to climate change by starting to measure and reduce their own carbon footprints.

The Government's plans were announced ahead of a key member’s debate on climate change being held at the Scottish Parliament on December 17.

Following the plea by the Moderator of the Church of Scotland General Assembly earlier in the month, churches across Scotland have been lobbying their local MSPs to attend the important discussions.

Mr Galloway concluded, “It is therefore disheartening to see these proposals undermining our collective efforts to reduce Scotland’s carbon footprint. “