Protest to Oppose PP&L and Reliant Expansion

On Sunday, June 2nd, at 1:00 p.m., concerned citizens from New Jersey and Pennsylvania will bear silent witness, opposing the expansions of PP&L (Martins Creek, PA) and Reliant (Upper Mt. Bethel Township, PA).

Citizens will gather at PP&L's North Gate parking lot (down PP&L's main driveway, on the left side directly across from the cooling towers). After an orientation for the press, we will stand or sit quietly, holding our signs, for one hour. We will then return slowly to our cars (feel free to decorate cars with signs so passersby will understand the problem) and drive in a caravan to Reliant in Upper Mount Bethel Township, PA. At Reliant, we will follow the same procedure, standing or sitting quietly, holding our signs, for one hour. We will then disperse in an orderly manner.

Every participant ( including children) is asked to bring a sign with the following written in large letters:

• Your name or initials
• Town and state where you live
• Your age
• Your affliction. If you are not ill, you may write "scared", "angry," "concerned", "outraged," etc.

Example:

Mary Smith
White Township. N.J.
Age 35
Breast cancer

The police have asked us not to post signs on telephone poles, fences, or anywhere on the plant properties.

This is an opportunity to visually link our identities with the illnesses we suffer and the polluters who seek expansion. We will not be nameless victims. If you or your childern are afflicted with lung disease, cancer, or other ailments, be counted! Bring friends. Bring photographs of your children if they are too sick to travel.

Children in Belvidere, NJ possess asthma rates higher than the national average. This may be our only change to send PP&L and Reliant a strong message: We are not expendable! All of us, together, can make a difference!

"On June 2nd we will not be nameless victims," said Greg Colletti of CEASE (Citizens Elect Alternative Safe Energy.) "On that day, PP&L and Reliant will see the faces and read the names of those who suffer the effects of unnecessary industrial pollution. Let them look into the eyes of children who have asthma while hydrogen fluoride, dioxin, and mercury blow from the stack."

"Together, PP&L and Reliant earn more than $90,000,000 daily," said Sr. Miriam Therese MacGillis, OP, of Genesis Farm in Blairstown, N.J. "The estimated cost to retrofit both power plants with modern pollution controls is $120,000,000-just about one day's revenue. Yet both companies insist on expanding, adding to the 40,000 yearly tons of sulfur dioxide emissions alone, WITHOUT reducing their existing emissions!"

Participants will car caravan from PP&L down Route 611 North to the Reliant plant in Upper Mt. Bethel Township, PA., where, again, they will stand for one hour.

"We can largely thank PP&L and Reliant for the non-attainment sulfur dioxide status of Warren County, N.J.," said Anna Maria Caldara of CEASE. "If these two companies were really serious about their 'good neighbor' promises, they would close their coal burning power plants, drop their gas-fired expansions, and wholeheartedly pursue wind and solar. Obviously, their profits are earned at the expense of our health. Do the children of our area deserve that?"

Remember to bring:
* folding chair if needed
* sufficient liquids, non-alcoholic
* light snacks if needed
* umbrellas, sun-visors or sunscreen, sunglasses
* prescription medication if needed.

Please wear disposable underwear if incontinence is a problem, as no toilet facilities are available. Please do not bring pets.

Non-Violent Code of Conduct: All persons attending the June 2nd. event are asked to conduct themselves in a non-violent manner, specifically, we agree to arrive at the event drug and alcohol free; respond respectfully and calmly if addressed by police or people who disagree with us, including employees of PP&L and Reliant; Above all, we will remain calm, demonstrating outwardly the courage of our conviction.

You may call Anna Maria Caldara at 570-897-6084 with any questions. Thank you.
Return to top