20 January, 2012
NSW power stations responsible for mercury pollution
Coal-fired power stations operated by the State government are the largest source of mercury pollution to air in NSW, according to an analysis of the Federal government's National Pollutant Inventory by the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
The state-owned Liddell and Bayswater power stations each emit nearly seven times more mercury pollution into the air than the Orica plant in Botany.
“Coal-fired power stations are the largest source of air pollution by mercury, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide in NSW,” Chief Executive Officer Pepe Clarke said today.
“Burning coal for electricity was responsible for the release of more than 240 kilograms of mercury into the air in 2009-10. Mercury is a highly toxic chemical that can damage the nervous and immune systems, and remains in the environment for many years.
“Far from setting an example of best practice, power stations owned and operated by the NSW government are the biggest source of mercury emissions in the state.
“It’s simply unacceptable for state-owned corporations to pollute our air and water with toxic chemicals.
“The NSW Government should lead the way on pollution reduction by slashing pollution from all state-owned facilities,” he said.
Last month, the US Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) introduced new regulations that require coal-fired power stations to lower emission of 84 different toxic chemicals, including mercury, to no higher than the levels emitted by the cleanest 12 per cent of all these facilities. The agency estimates financial benefits of between $37 billion and $90 billion a year from fewer pollution-related illness or fatalities.
“The introduction of pollution emission regulations similar to the US EPA would be a welcome step forward for reducing the dangerous risks from pollution. However, in the long-term NSW must go further with the replacement of polluting power stations and coal mines with clean, safe renewable energy,” Mr Clarke said.
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Coal and gas
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