Rees govt spending $100m backing coal power future
Media release: 11 November 2009
The Rees government is squandering $100 million on a discredited
technology to keep coal-fired electricity as the major source of the
state’s energy, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Dr Kaye said: “Former Howard government Resources Minister, Ian
Macfarlane, has blown the whistle on carbon capture and storage.
“He has publicly stated that such technology is at least 20 years away,
and it will be 30 years before it will be financially viable.
“Despite the urgent need to address carbon emissions, carbon capture
and storage, or ‘clean coal’ as it is branded, is being used to justify
up to three new coal-fired power stations in NSW.
“The Rees government is throwing $100 million of taxpayers money at
this marketing exercise for the coal mining industry.
“The need to address carbon emission levels is too important for NSW
Energy Minister John Robertson to play politics by hiding behind mining
industry marketing rhetoric.
“The community is demanding a transition to a low carbon future by
embracing jobs-rich, ready to go renewable energy technology, such as
solar thermal.
“The Rees government should stop subsidising carbon-intensive
industries. It should abandon plans to hand over generator trading and
household electricity billing to the corporate sector.
“A just transition will only be possible for the community if energy
generation, distribution and retail remains in public hands,” Dr Kaye
said.
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455
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