The Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has refused development consent for a new coal mine in Bylong near Mudgee, citing concerns about long-lasting environmental, agricultural and heritage impacts.
Korean-owned, Kepco Bylong Australia had sought approval to develop an open cut and underground coal mine in the Bylong Valley to extract up to 120 million tonnes of run-of-mine coal over 25 years for the thermal coal export market.
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment referred the state significant development application to the Commission for determination in October last year because of significant community opposition.
Commissioners Gordon Kirkby (Panel Chair), Wendy Lewin and Stephen O'Connor were appointed to determine the state significant development application.
"The Project is not in the public interest because it is contrary to the principles of ESD (ecologically sustainable development) - namely intergenerational equity because the predicted economic benefits would accrue to the present generation but the long-term environmental, heritage and agricultural costs will be borne by the future generations," the Commission concluded.
"The present generation" is left undefined as is "future generations". The issue here is economic cost and benefit , and who gains what and how much. Calculating these without specifying exactly where the gains and losses fall is absurd.
Meanwhile in the real world:
Coal supply issues have resulted in Mt Piper scaling back its operations, owner EnergyAustralia announced on Wednesday, September 4 (2019).
EnergyAustralia said in a statement that it would operate the Mt Piper power station "in coal-conservation mode" between September and the end of November.
The aim would be to have the plant running at full capacity "when it is needed most over summer".
The very same Energy Australia shuttered Wallerawang Power Station in 2014 for lack of demand.
END
by Ganesh Sahathevan
In November 2014, EnergyAustralia announced that it would permanently close
Wallerawang due to ongoing reduced energy demand, lack of access to competitively
priced coal and the power station’s high operating costs
2GB has reported this morning:
Wallerawang due to ongoing reduced energy demand, lack of access to competitively
priced coal and the power station’s high operating costs
2GB has reported this morning:
Coal is “here to stay”. That’s the message from the NSW Government following a major policy announcement this morning.
Legislation is being prepared to prolong the life of the state’s coal-fired power stations and support new mines.
This would address coal supply issues at the Mt Piper plant near Lithgow, which produces about 15 per cent of the state’s electricity.
Energy Minister Matt Kean tells Ray Hadley his priority is securing supply.
“Coal is absolutely here to stay, for decades to come, in New South Wales.
“All my policy decisions will be driven by two objectives; keeping the lights on and driving power prices down.
While it was also reported that the NSW Government will not invest in new plants, efficiency and competition dictate that the new laws that are to be introduced force Energy Australia' Ltd to re-open Wallerawang Power Station.Clearly its reasons for closing down the plant cannot be valid.
END
See also
No comments:
Post a Comment