Environment Groups Call on NSW Government to Rule Out Dirty Coal
Monday, 06 December 2004 10:00
The plan identifies almost 6000MW of cost-effective, clean energy and demand management that would be quicker to implement than building a new power station. This comes in the wake of the release of the NSW Government's Green Paper on Energy and claims that NSW may experience brown outs this summer and is considering investing in new coal generation capacity to meet future demand. The plan will be developed into a comprehensive Clean Energy Future for NSW study.
ACF Climate Change campaigner Monica Richter said: "The Premier has taken a national leadership role on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He must now get down to business by implementing the viable alternatives to another polluting power station for NSW."
"The Government should rule out polluting, coal-fired power for NSW. This report shows that a new coal-fired power station for NSW is unnecessary if the Government implements the many programmes on offer, including renewables, demand management, energy efficiency, cogeneration, gas and green energy," said Total Environment Centre spokesperson Jane Castle. "Over 5,000 MW of smart, clean energy or energy efficiency is now available. This would be an increase of 43% on current capacity, especially for peak power. Most can be implemented more quickly and more cost-effectively than building new power stations. A range of these proposals are close to sign-off, promising clean energy and jobs growth well in excess of the jobs found in the fossil fuel electricity generation industry."
Anna Reynolds, WWF-Australia's Climate Change Manager said "The NSW government is at a crossroads. We need to cut emissions by at least 60 percent by 2050 if we are to help prevent NSW being severely damaged by climate change. We will not reach this target if we build new coal fired power stations."
"NSW could lead the world in becoming a clean energy future state. We've got lots of resources such as the sun, plenty of wind, space and other fuels. Rather than doing what we've always done, let's be creative. Not only will renewable energy be good for the climate, it will also be good for rural and regional jobs growth and allow investment and export of these technologies," said Julie-Anne Richard of Climate Action Network Australia.
"NSW has a huge untapped potential for renewable energy. A state renewables target of 10% by 2010 and 20% by 2020 would give investors the incentive they need, and provide regional jobs and development. The alternative of another dirty coal power station is simply unacceptable". said Philip Freeman, of Greenpeace.
The groups, including Climate Action Network Australia, the Total Environment Centre the Australian Conservation Foundation, WWF-Australia, Greenpeace, North Coast Environment Council, The Wilderness Society, the Hunter Environment Group, Rising Tide, National Parks Association of NSW and Nature Conservation Council of NSW recommend the government can avoid future brownouts by being smarter about supplying our energy needs by doing the following:
1. Develop the market for renewable energy such as wind, solar, low-impact hydro and geothermal
2. Provide real incentives for demand management and energy efficiency
3. No new coal fired power stations and better support for cogeneration and gas as an interim fuel
4. Becoming a world leader by supporting take-up of solar hot water technology, and
5. Encourage more green electricity products.
For full report see our Energy page.
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