SW Environment Groups await EPA decision on Bluewaters Coal-fired Power Station Expansion

Media Release from Climate Action Bunbury
Monday 7 September 2009

Climate Action Bunbury and other WA climate groups are very concerned that our State Government is deliberately locking us into a dirty coal future with a current proposal before the EPA to expand the Bluewaters power station in Collie and also plans to bring back on line two decommissioned units at the old Muja power station.

The Griffin Energy owned Bluewaters power station is being sold to the public as low-emissions and carbon sequestration ready. However, it is known by scientists and environment groups that carbon sequestration is far from being implemented on a commercial scale, with 2025 being the earliest date to begin and 2040 being proposed as the date for large scale commercial operation.

Until then, all carbon dioxide emitted by Bluewaters and other power stations in Collie will go directly into the atmosphere and contribute to dangerous Climate Change. After all the time, money and effort put into carbon sequestration research and technology, it is quite likely that it will prove to be too late, too expensive and even unsafe.

“Many scientists are warning that we only have 6 years left before Climate Change becomes runaway and will be unstoppable”, said CAB spokesperson Yvette Jennings. “I have two daughters, aged 4 and 6. Their future and my own depends on our Government’s decisions to tackle Climate Change right now and to do it effectively. This is not happening with our State and Federal Governments avoiding taking the emergency action needed and protecting the interests of major polluting industries above that of the community. It’s insanity.”

“We don’t have time for science fiction fantasies to deal with Climate Change, we need to act right now, with the technology we have right now. Renewable Energy technologies are ready to go now – Solar Thermal, Solar Photovoltaics, Wind, Wave and Geothermal. Implementing Energy Efficiency measures state-wide would remove the need for more coal power stations.”

“There is a growing national and international movement to demand emergency action on Climate Change and to do it immediately. We want dirty coal-fired power and coal mining phased out with a fair and just transition for the workers in those industries. They should be supported and moved into the new Green Jobs economy where Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy are the way of the future.”

“It’s simply a crime against humanity and the planet to not act now. I consider it a form of child abuse for politicians to continue to protect high polluting industries with delaying tactics and to destroy our children’s future by such procrastination.”

“The community wants real and urgent action on Climate Change and we want it now! Ignore the will of the community at your peril!”

Yvette Jennings
Media Spokesperson
Climate Action Bunbury
0428 786 626