SYDNEY, 30 March — 350.org calls on Australia’s biggest energy providers – AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia – to heed the recommendations of the Senate’s coal closure report* that was released last night and immediately come up with a closure plan to retire all remaining coal plants.

“This unprecedented report from our Parliament shows what we’ve known for a long time – the Federal Government and the big polluters must immediately implement plans to get out of all coal in the 2020s,” 350.org spokesperson Josh Creaser said.

“The closure of Hazelwood this week and the ten coal stations which have closed since 2012 are proof that a transition to clean energy is well underway. But the lack of a clear closure timeline leaves communities in the lurch.

“This report is a serious wake up call for the Big Polluters and their ageing fleet of dirty coal plants. AGL’s emissions have doubled since 2013, Origin’s have quadrupled and EnergyAustralia’s Yallourn power station is now the most polluting in the country. Vague and distant plans to close these stations in two or three decades won’t cut it for the climate or for local communities. We need a plan to be out of coal in the 2020s.”

Media Enquiries: Cam Klose 0490 436 948

*A full copy of the report can be found here.