Residents of municipalities in central and northern Greece which have been slated for the construction of coal-fired electricity plants are protesting the plans which, they say, will pose an environmental and health risk.

The residents argue that building plants burning low-grade lignite coal would undermine attempts to boost sustainable development in their area and put their children’s health at risk. What is worse, they say, they must fight this battle alone as many politicians who had supported their cause prior to last September’s general elections are no longer attending protest rallies.

The lukewarm response to a questionnaire sent to local authority leaders by conservation group WWF Hellas appears to vindicate residents’ arguments. Of the 32 MPs in six prefectures who received a copy of the questionnaire, only 16 responded, according to WWF.