The Nature Conservation Council has asked the Environment Protection Authority to consult the public and health professionals before deciding whether to grant Vales Point power station a further five-year exemption from nitrogen oxide pollution limits in the NSW Clean Air Regulation.
“We have written to the EPA recommending that it reject the application and to let health professionals and the people who live in the shadow of the Vales Point smoke stacks to be heard,” Nature Conservation Council Chief Executive Chris Gambian said.
“The extremely high level of nitrogen dioxide pollution coming out of Vales Point power station is a serious public health issue.
“It is only right that the communities bearing the brunt of the health effects of this facility be given a chance to have a say about how it is regulated.
“NO2 pollution from coal power stations causes asthma in 650 children on the Central Coast. [1]
“These children would not have asthma if power stations in NSW, including Vales Point, met emissions standards that apply in other countries.
“Delta Electricity, which owns Vales Point, is massively profitable and could easily afford to install pollution controls that would significantly address the problem.
“Delta is a cabal of capitalists with one objective — to run their coal-fired power station with minimum pollution controls for as long as possible to maximise their profits, regardless of the human health and the environmental impacts.
“The EPA should be standing up for the people, not allowing big polluters harm the health of children on the Central Coast."
Delta Electricity applied for the exemption from NO2 emissions standards in December. The EPA has 60 days to make its decision (February 21), or 90 days if it gives the public and health professionals a say (March 23).
References
[1] Ewald, B, (January 2021), Power station NO2 emissions and paediatric asthma in Central Coast, Hunter Valley and Sydney Local Government Areas
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