26 March 2019
Premier Berejiklian must block Morrison’s taxpayer-subsidised fossil fuel projects
Premier Gladys Berejiklian should use state planning powers to block any coal or gas generation projects short-listed today by Prime Minister Scott Morrison for public subsidies. [1]
“It is cynical in the extreme that the federal government has made this announcement two days after the NSW state election,” Nature Conservation Council CEO Kate Smolski said.
“Scott Morrison knows voters in NSW are strongly opposed to government subsidies for new coal and gas projects, which is why he has delayed this announcement until today.
“The Berejiklian government’s failure to develop a climate change plan for NSW or a strategy to transition our electricity grid from coal renewables was a major reason the Coalition lost the seats of Coogee and Lismore on the weekend.
“More than 40 per cent of voters who deserted the Liberals in Coogee said climate was the most important issue influencing their vote.
“People in NSW want action on climate and energy, not another four wasted years.
“If Premier Gladys Berejiklian is to have any chance making the state carbon neutral by 2050, as she has stated, she cannot permit any new fossil fuel power stations in this state. [2]
“Carbon dioxide emissions from NSW’s coal-fired power stations last year hit 50.3 million tonnes, the highest in six years, [3] and the proportion of electricity we source from wind and solar languishes around 9%. [4]
“Polling shows 96% of people want renewables to be our main source of energy and more than 69% think governments should plan for the orderly closure of coal-fired power stations and their replacement with clean energy.” [5]
One of the short-listed projects is Vales Point power station at Lake Macquarie, which is owned by Liberal Party donor Trevor St Baker.
REFERENCES
[1] The Aus, 26/3/19 Gas, hydro on Scott Morrison’s energy shortlist
[2] NSW Climate Change Policy Framework
[3] http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/NGER/Pages/Published information/Electricity sector emissions and generation data/Electricity-sector-emissions-and-generation-data-2017%E2%80%9318-.aspx
[4] https://www.energy.gov.au/publications/australian-energy-statistics-table-o-electricity-generation-fuel-type-2017-18-and-2018
[5] Climate of the Nation 2017: Australian attitudes on climate change,
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Climate and energy
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