- The StopEP Coalition
- Our demands
- Sources of funding
The Stop Elektrowni Północ (Stop the Północ Power Plant) Coalition was formed by the local citizens of Pomerania who oppose the construction of a coal-fired power plant in the region. The Coalition consists of local and national non-governmental organizations which work for health, climate and environmental protection as well as to promote sustainable development of the region with due respect of these values. We are independent and apolitical. We provide support for local citizens and their actions for sustainable development of the region and protection of its natural and cultural heritage.
Our goal is to prevent construction of the Północ Power Plant (Elektrownia Północ) which poses a serious threat to human health, environment and climate. Due to its dramatic impacts on people and wildlife any new facility based on coal combustion must not be built neither in Kociewie nor in any other part of Poland or the world.
Being a defining factor for future development of the region, the decision of whether to build a coal-fired power plant must be taken on the basis of correct and relevant information available for all the citizens which is why we request that the investment process be transparent and based on sound scientific and economic data and that all the interested parties are enabled to take part in it.
We support sustainable development of Pomerania and promote modern solutions which allow protection of priceless wildlife and cultural landscape of the region, and guarantee energy safety, independence and protection of human health as well as high quality of life in clean environment.
We believe that the future of energy sector lies in energy democracy – a model of development based on renewable sources of clean energy which belong to the local community, ensure its independence and freedom from energy corporations, stimulate local economy and create jobs. For this reason we support development of renewable energy, citizen and prosumer energy as well as energy efficiency.
The Coalition is financially supported by the European Climate Foundation – an European foundation which works for climate protection and support initiatives for energy transformation and decarbonisation of economy. The Coalition is financially independent – it does not accept any financial support from companies or corporations, neither Polish nor foreign. It has no financial connections with any foreign business or administration.
Association Workshop for All Beings
Independent NGO working for wildlife protection with respect for the wellbeing of humans.
ClientEarth Prawnicy dla Ziemi
Lawyers working for the benefit of people and the environment, defending equal rights of every individual to live and work in unpolluted environment.
Eko-Kociewie
Local organisation formed by local citizens for protection of the region’s most precious values.
Wspólna Ziemia
An eco-cultural association working for environment, wildlife and independent culture.
Greenpeace Polska
Independent international organisation working for wildlife and environmental protection.
WWF Polska
Independent international organisation working for wildlife and protection of endangered species.
Building the Północ Power Plant is a regrettable step back for both Poland and a region which, until now, has resisted the onslaught of large, environmentally and socially harmful projects. A region which may well continue its development in a way safe for its citizens. Healthy food production and eco-tourism are what will provide local communities with income and allow preserving human health and the health of local ecosystems. Building a coal-fired power plant is an economic, health and environmental hazard. While other countries all around the world are phasing out coal Poland ,for reasons unfathomable, keeps investing in it. What does it prove? Ignorance, lack of basic knowledge and abysmal shortsightedness. It is our moral duty not only to think about how will the results of our actions impact us, but also what world are we going to leave for the generations to come. Are dirty investments going to make our grandchildren proud of us? Or perhaps they will hold a deep grudge against us for having destroyed their world. We are certain that investing in coal will bring only shame, which is why we want to stop the Północ Power Plant project that we see as an attempt on the life of future generations.
Pomerania has always been intrinsically connected to the Lower Vistula. The waters of the Queen of Polish Rivers contributed greatly to settlement, development of farming and trade. We still benefit from the river’s generosity. We fish in her waters, rest by her shores, farm healthy food. If the Północ Power Plant is built, Vistula will be changed forever. The water taken from the river will circulate in the power plant’s cooling system only to be returned to the environment - hot and full of toxic substances. Instead of salmon, trout or sturgeon it will become home to chemicals and heavy metals: mercury, lead, cadmium, boron and fluorine as well as deadly biocides. Once bristling with life, the river will be turned into a dead sewer. This is not development but destruction of Pomerania. We cannot let it happen.
