Premier must rule out coal once and for all - 8 December 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen today welcomed news of a cabinet office report showing that NSW does not need additional base load power for well over a decade.

“The Premier should follow up by ruling out any new coal fired power stations once and for all,” Mr Cohen said.

“There is now no excuse for vacillation by Premier Iemma. His environment statement last week was a welcome reopening of the green debate but his words will ring hollow without real action on greenhouse.

“Tackling greenhouse emissions means tackling coal. Without a firm statement from the Government against new coal fired power stations, NSW will not have the investment certainty needed to drive the take up of renewable energy.

“Coal burning for electricity is last century technology that needs to be replaced with the modern job rich alternatives that will help halt the onslaught of climate change.

“This leaked report vindicates environmentalists who have long argued that the state doesn’t need additional base load electricity at the moment,” Mr Cohen said.