April 11, 2017

Turnbull Government pandering to Big Polluters in proposed 50 year coal power closure plan: 350.org

350.org Australia says the Turnbull Government has caved in to the Big Polluters in proposing a 50 year coal power station closure plan that would throw the climate and local communities under the bus.

“The Turnbull Government’s 50 year coal closure plan is yet another example of Australia’s Big Polluters — AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia — influencing our politics to protect their profits from burning coal rather than dealing with climate pollution and the serious health impacts these plants inflict on local communities,” 350.org Energy spokesperson, Josh Creaser said.

“Running coal plants to 50 years means keeping Australia shackled to dirty and outdated coal technology for decades to come

“This is just another example of the Turnbull Government prioritising their mates in big business above the desires of Australians. New polling released yesterday shows Australians want clean energy, not dirty coal power plants that hurt the climate and make local communities sick.

“AGL’s Head of Economics and Sustainability has previously said the design life of a coal-fired power plant is 25-30 years. In pushing for a 50 year age limit AGL is proposing to run coal stations into the ground meaning they’ll only become more polluting and risky to the community”

“Instead of talking about keeping coal plants open, the conversation between the government and our energy retailers should instead be planning how to close down our coal plants and transition to renewables by 2030 in line with the climate science.”