The NSW Government should shelve its plans for new coal-fired power stations and instead invest in renewable alternatives, at least until a technological revolution occurs in the energy industry, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.
The call came after delegates at Australia's first annual Coal21 clean coal technologies conference in Sydney today were warned by the President of the American Pew Centre on Global Climate Change, Eileen Claussen, that coal energy technology was not ready to tackle global warming.
“It is a clear message to the coal industry that it is not ready to deal effectively with combating greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr Cohen said.
“Technological advances are happening but not fast enough to be effective in the proposed new coal-fired power stations the NSW Government is currently considering at Ulan in the Upper Hunter and at an expanded Mt Piper plant near Lithgow.”
Ms Claussen also told the conference during the opening address this morning that both industry and government must be accountable for reducing greenhouse emissions.
Read Eileen Claussen's speech
“The Premier will only become part of the problem on global warming, not the cure, unless he takes action to reduce the state’s dependence on coal mining and coal-fired power,” Mr Cohen said.
The Greens are currently seeking amendments to the government’s Electricity Supply Amendment Bill, now in the Upper House, to establish a demand management fund that would include load management and energy efficiency opportunities.
“A demand management fund would save consumers money as it would focus industry and retailers on becoming more efficient in how energy is used. Less waste also translates to less greenhouse emissions.”
Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656
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