No New Power Plant: Stopping a power plant one recipe at a time

From a press release: “Its hard to imagine that selling a cookbook could ever help stop a multi-national, multi-billion dollar fossil fuel power plant company. But it just might,” says Stephanie Sloman creator of the No New Power Plant (NNPP)’s Northern Rhode Island Red Barn Common Sense Cookbook. With over 273 recipes, submitted from 20 communities in Rhode Island, Massachusetts

Rhode Island News: No New Power Plant: Stopping a power plant one recipe at a time

January 20, 2019, 4:57 pm

By Uprise RI Staff

From a press release:

“Its hard to imagine that selling a cookbook could ever help stop a multi-national, multi-billion dollar fossil fuel power plant company. But it just might,” says Stephanie Sloman creator of the No New Power Plant (NNPP)’s Northern Rhode Island Red Barn Common Sense Cookbook. With over 273 recipes, submitted from 20 communities in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, the No New Power Plant group hopes the message of “common sense” permeates the culture right down to the dinner table.

“We wanted to get the word out to as wide an audience as possible using as many different tactics as possible,” continued Sloman. “Its time to stop building the very things that are causing so much havoc with our weather, the displacement and death of so many plants and animals. Why would we build such things? It makes no sense.” To date the NNPP has helped raise over $90,000 in the nearly four year struggle to stop the fracked gas fired power plant proposed for the middle of the woods in northwestern Rhode Island.

“We just don’t know how to stop,” said Julia O’Rourke – chair of the No New Power Plant – the grassroots effort that has thwarted Invenergy’s desire to build a fossil fuel power plant in the forests of Burrillville. Through selling painted wine bottles, bake sales, car shows, dinners and now a cookbook the group has raised funds for bus ads, billboards near the statehouse, postcards and letters to political leaders and a social media campaign in opposition to the power plant. “The bus ads and cookbooks are a reminder that we are still in the fight to save Rhode Island and keep our forests intact,” said O’Rourke.

Permitting and siting hearings continue at the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission offices on Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick. The hearings, open to the public, take place before the Energy Facility Siting Board – a three person panel authorized to decide the fate of the power plant.

All proceeds will help NNPP continue its battle to stop the power plant. Within the cookbook is guide by Rhode Islanders for Rhode Islanders called, “LIVABLE RHODE ISLAND”, created by members of the Civic Alliance for a Cooler Rhode Island (CACRI). “This is a guide to actions that we in Rhode Island, in our households and communities, can take to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. It’s also a guide to building relationships – with each other and with our natural world – that will create a larger cultural and political shift away from a fossil fuel economy, toward a more livable future,” says Ken Payne – chair of CACRI.

“These 273 recipes from all over are an indication that the vast majority of people in our region are with us. We need to end this power plant. And if we have to cook our way towards victory, we will do it,” stated Sloman. The cookbooks are being offered for a donation of $25 each and available at East Coast Artisans, 78 North Main Street, Pascoag, Rhode Island or have one mailed for an additional $4. Call (401) 568-0357 for more information.