The International Energy Agency (IEA) overnight sounded the death knell for global coal demand and yet there is still no credible plan for diversifying regional economies of Lithgow and the Hunter. [1]

“The people of Lithgow and the Hunter region are being let down by political leaders who have failed to prepare for the inevitable changes facing their community,” Nature Conservation Council Chief Executive Chris Gambian said. 

“The International Energy Agency yesterday forecasted the steady decline in coal demand over the next 10 to 20 years. 

“It has warned coal-fired power will decline to less than 20 per cent of the world's energy by 2040, virtually spelling the end of the coal era.”

IEA chief Faith Birol said: Solar PV is now consistently cheaper than new coal- or gas-fired power plants in most countries, and solar projects now offer some of the lowest cost electricity ever seen. [2]

“There are huge opportunities beyond coal for the Hunter and Lithgow regions, but they will require investment by the government and business.

“These regions can’t reach its post-coal potential alone - it needs substantial support from the state and federal governments. That support is conspicuously lacking.

“Change in our energy systems is gathering pace so coal communities need government help to get on board or they will be left behind.

“Germany has created a 40 billion euro fund to help its coal communities develop new economic opportunities. 

“We need something similar to ensure our communities don’t suffer because of the rapid international shift away from coal.

“We call on the NSW government to set aside a substantial fund, with billions of dollars to ensure no worker is left high and dry and that coal mining regions will have sufficient resources to adapt economically.”

References

[1] International Energy Agency: coal has surrendered to solar, SMH, 14-10-20

[2] International Energy Agency Press Release, 13-10-20 

Media contact: James Tremain | 0419 272 254

The company that owns Vales Point Power Station last week received a $8.7 million federal government handout has been busted illegally dumping asbestos and other waste. [1]

The NSW Environment Protection Authority has issued two penalty notices to Vales Point operator Delta Electricity with fines totalling $30,000.

“How can the federal government justify giving our hard-earned taxpayer dollars to a company that treats the environment and our laws with such disdain?” Nature Conservation Council Campaigns Director Dr Brad Smith said.

“This company has been busted dumping toxic asbestos into an ash dam and spreading it over a very large area. [2] 

“The penalty imposed is far too light for such a serious breach — $30,000 is chump change for a man who has made hundreds of millions from deals with the NSW Government.”

Dr Smith said the federal government had no business funding a privately-owned coal-fired power station, especially one that showed such disregard for the environment.

“We call on the NSW Government to block the transfer of the federal grant money to Mr St Baker,” he said.

“We urge the federal government instead to spend that money cleaning up the state’s energy system.”

Mr St Baker applied for taxpayer subsidies under the federal government’s Underwriting New Generation Investments Program and has a record of gaining from government decisions. 

He bought Vales Point power station from the NSW Government for $1 million in 2015 and made $113 million in profit on the deal in 2017-18. 

Mr St Baker is also a regular political donor and a former National Party electoral candidate.  

References

[1] Vales Point Power Station fined $30,000 for pollution and waste offences, NSW EPA, 12 October 2020

[2] Environmental watchdog orders clean-up but residents furious about being kept in the dark, Newcastle Herald, 3-1-2019 

The Federal Government has included an undisclosed sum in the 2020-21 budget to help coal baron and Coalition donor Trevor St Baker maintain the Vales Point coal-fired power station. [1]

“Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s $213 billion dollar deficit this year pales in comparison to the climate debt he is leaving for future generations by backing coal and gas,” Nature Conservation Council Chief Executive Chris Gambian said.

“The federal government has no business funding a privately-owned coal-fired power station.

“Bushfires and heatwaves are already becoming more deadly and subsidising an old coal-fired power station is just throwing fuel on the fire.”

Mr St Baker, the owner of Vales Point coal-fired power station on the Central Coast applied for taxpayer subsidies under the federal government’s Underwriting New Generation Investments Program. 

“The government should have a plan for the orderly closure of coal-fired power stations and their replacement with clean energy,” Mr Gambian said.  

“Subsidising coal power simply scares off investors in clean power sources like solar and wind backed-up with batteries.”

Mr St Baker has a record of gaining from government decisions. He bought Vales Point power station from the NSW Government for $1 million in 2015 and made $113 million in profit on the deal in 2017-18. [2]  

Mr St Baker is a regular political donor and a former National Party electoral candidate. 

REFERENCES

[1] Budget Paper 2, page 117,  2020-21 

[2] 23-1-19, Newcastle Herald, The man who bought Vales Point power station from the NSW Government for a song has new plans for the site 

Daisy and Brad dig into Labor's commitment and what it means for the climate, electricity bills and the upcoming election.

A new report launched today by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis shows NSW's coal exports have peaked and are now in terminal decline. Coal is on its way out as the world moves to cheaper, cleaner energy that's better for all. Time for NSW to catch up, Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Sign the petition and join the movement to Repower NSW bit.ly/repowernsw