Revelations that Energy Minister Carl Scully has been discussing upgrading the Mt Piper coal fired power station are of grave concern, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.
“The much anticipated Energy White Paper has not been released. It is a gross pre-emption of that process for the Minister to be making plans for any new coal powered electricity,” Mr Cohen said.
“Environmentalists want a guarantee that there will be a commitment to no new coal fired power stations or major upgrades of existing power stations that allow new base load power to be generated from coal.
“The Premier needs to reign in his Energy Minister.
“Ex-Premier Bob Carr recently stated that the most recent current advice is that new base load power would not be required as soon as previously thought. Indeed no new such power is needed until 2018.
“If the Government was serious about addressing our power needs and tackling greenhouse emissions they should be in major discussions about energy efficiency, renewables and gas for peak load rather than making plans for yet more coal,” Mr Cohen said.
Further Information: Ben Oquist 02 92303305 or 0419704095
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