The new application by HRL-Dual Gas to build a coal-fired power station in the Latrobe Valley will be made public tomorrow.
The revised application for a ‘works approval’ has been submitted to the Environment Protection Authority, and will be available on the EPA website from 9am tomorrow (Wednesday, 15 September).
Environment Victoria is calling on the State Government to reject the proposal, and rule out any new coal-fired power stations in Victoria.
“Less than two weeks ago the State Government passed legislation setting a target to reduce the State’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 and reduce emissions from coal. There is no way Victoria will meet this target if we keep building coal-fired power stations,” said Environment Victoria Campaigns Director Mark Wakeham.
“This is the last chance for the State Government to stop this new coal-fired power station from being built, so it’s a crucial decision,” he said.
HRL-Dual Gas first submitted the application to the EPA in August, but withdrew it once the Government announced tighter emissions standards for new power stations. The revised application is expected to include changes that attempt to meet the new criteria.
“It would be completely hypocritical for the State Government to retire 400 MW of coal-fired power generation at Hazelwood, only to approve a new 600 MW coal-fired power station with the same level of total emissions,” Mr Wakeham said.
“If the Brumby Government wants the community to believe that the Climate Change White Paper was a turning point for climate action and that the state government is committed to reducing emissions it is critical that the HRL coal-fired power station is rejected, and that the $50 million earmarked for the project is allocated to genuinely clean energy projects,” he concluded.
Once the application is made public, there is a three week public consultation period and the EPA has until mid January 2011 to make a final decision.
For further information or comment:
Mark Wakeham 0439 700 501 03 9341 8127