See, now, if people were going to do an actual utility strike, they would stop using all power at their domiciles, right? So that they wouldn’t be generating revenue for the power companies, right? Not in Warmist World
Climate activists mount utility strike to urge the shutdown of New England coal plant
Santa is not the only one giving out coal this year. Climate activists like Johnny Sanchez and Sonja Birthisel in Portland, Maine, recently sent their utility company an envelope of coal instead of payment towards their electric bill. This symbolic act of defiance, organized by the No Coal No Gas coalition, is part of a broad New England consumer strike against utility payments to protest the continued burning of coal.
The Strike Down Coal campaign launched on Sept. 1 and aims to continue until ISO New England — the system operator responsible for running New England’s energy grid and power system — agrees to stop subsidizing coal. By withholding payments, activists hope to send the utility company a message that burning coal is unnecessary, not to mention financially and morally irresponsible. Fifty people are currently withholding payments, while more than 40 others have participated in orientation sessions, and dozens are acting as volunteer support. Many of the strikers have recorded videos of themselves mailing envelopes of coal to ISO-NE on social media, and some residents are donating their payments to support racial and environmental justice organizations.
So, wait, let me get this straight: they’re continue to use the energy from ISO New England, they’re just refusing to pay for it? Well, at some point, they will be forced to not use it, as ISONE cuts their power off.
“The strike is a powerful way that we can connect economic and racial justice to the atrocities of our utility system,†said Leif Taranta, an organizer with the No Coal No Gas coalition. “It’s time to demand that our ratepayer dollars go towards helping our communities, not destroying our livelihoods and our planet.â€
Remember, this is all about anthropogenic climate change, right?
Strike Down Coal is a powerful direct action campaign that not only withdraws financial support from Merrimack Station, but also models a way for other consumers to exercise power against the fossil fuel industry. As students of such nonviolent tactics, Strike Down Coal’s organizing team (which includes me) believes this kind of direct action can force a large-scale industry change quicker than electoral or advocacy efforts. And when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, time is of the essence.
It’s really not powerful when the Warmists are still using the power. ISONE also has 7.2 million customers, so, 50 people withholding payments (and soon to be disconnected) is meaningless.