Protesters arrested at Duke Energy's Cliffside plant

CLIFFSIDE, NORTH CAROLINA - Eight protesters were arrested recently at Duke Energy's Cliffside Plant, according to Rutherford County Sheriff Jack L. Conner.

Conner said the protesters - about 20 in all - had only been on the site for a few minutes when a Duke Energy employee called police. Sheriff's deputies quickly disrupted the protest near parked construction equipment on Duke Power Road, he said.

"They were shocked that they were arrested so quickly," Conner said. "As soon as they pulled out their banners, an officer pulled up."

Several protesters chained themselves to equipment, but they were unlocked or cut free by police. Police charged four with misdemeanor trespassing and four more with both trespassing and misdemeanor resist, obstruct or delay.

None of those arrested was from Cleveland or Rutherford counties.

"They're not local people," Conner said. According to arrest reports, the group came from as far as Nashville, Tenn., but were mainly composed of college-aged Asheville residents. He said some of the protestors who were arrested were stunned with a Taser when they refused to cooperate with officers. Most of those on the site dispersed when police asked.

Conner said the protest was the first incident at the plant since Duke Energy received an OK from the state to begin construction on a new 800-megawatt coal-fired generator. No damage to the construction equipment has been reported, said Duke Energy spokeswoman Marilyn Lineberger.

"It's really no surprise," she said. "The groups have said all along they'd try to do things to delay the construction, but the good news is it didn't have an effect on operations or construction."

The protest was one of hundreds organized worldwide as part of "Fossil Fools Day," according to a blog posted at www.fossilfoolsdayofaction.org.

Duke Energy has a zero tolerance policy for illegal activity like protests, Lineberger said; however, the company is happy to discuss the plant's construction in a legal forum.

Related News

Port Hawkesbury Paper

Nova Scotia's last paper mill seeks new discount electricity rate

HALIFAX - Nova Scotia Power is scheduled to appear before government regulators Tuesday morning seeking approval for a unique discount rate for its largest customer.

Under the four-year plan, Nova Scotia Power would control the supply of electricity to Port Hawkesbury Paper, with the right to direct the company to increase or reduce daily consumption throughout the year.

The rate proposal is supported by the mill, which says it needs to lower its power bill to keep its operation viable.

The rate went into effect on Jan. 1 on a temporary basis, pending the outcome of a hearing this week before the Nova…

READ MORE
motor testing training

Electric Motor Testing Training

READ MORE

rachel notley

The gloves are off - Alberta suspends electricity purchase talks with B.C.

READ MORE

harbour air electric plane

Is this the start of an aviation revolution?

READ MORE

west virgina dam

Lawmakers question FERC licensing process for dams in West Virginia

READ MORE